The Saguaro also has a greater amount of parenchyma cells than most plants for water retention. It's native to the Sonoran desert of northern Mexico and of the southwestern United States of America. The desert is the habitat of the saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea]. Quick Facts The saguaro is the largest cactus in the United States. In Saguaro National Park, studies indicate that a saguaro grows between 1 and 1.5 inches in the first eight years of its life. They also grow mainly on rocky, southern facing slopes, and rarely grow on north facing slopes as … The saguaro’s roots are just 4-6 inch deep. The body and armlike branches of the saguaro are pleated and ridged, with hard spines and bristles. As the saguaro continues to grow, its much older nurse tree may die. The parenchyma store water for the sa The parenchyma store water for the sa guaro and make up the deeper interior of the stem of the saguaro, which makes up the majority of the plant. The saguaro cactus grows only in the Sonoran Desert of the U.S. and Mexico. When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds. Saguaro are very slow growing cactus.
The saguaro cactus only grows between sea level, and 4,000 feet.
A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). These holes were used by native Americans as water containers.
In May and June, white flowers bloom, followed by bright-red fruits that may each contain up to 2,000 small black seeds. Its range is limited by freezing temperatures and altitude. These tiny, young saguaros are very hard to find as they grow under the protection of a “nurse tree”, most often a palo verde, ironwood or mes-quite tree. These holes were used by native Americans as water containers. cactus. The saguaro cactus will have holes cut out by birds.