These iconic cactuses (Yes “cactuses” 😊 Another acceptable word is “cacti”) are all prolific in / indigenous to Arizona.
The most famous / iconic cactus is the Saguaro, pronounced “sa-wa-ro” which can grow to a height of 50 feet, sprout many arms and flower beautifully in the springtime. These cactuses are often used in desert landscaping and can be viewed in massive quantities throughout the valley / low-altitude areas in Southern Arizona. Note though that saguaro cactuses, along with many other desert plants and trees are protected by Arizona’s Native Plant Law. Caution is advised if you ever want to acquire or remove a desert plant to make sure you don’t inadvertently garner the interest of Arizona’s Department of Agriculture.
Saguaros are often home to many bird species. In the Phoenix metro area it is common for various species of woodpecker to make their nests in the ideal, safe and relatively cool Saguaro trunks. The birds’ nests appear as a small hole and in the springtime, the woodpeckers can be heard making home improvements inside the cactus. Woodpeckers will also from time to time peck the vents on your roof, creating an unmistakable and loud sound in the wee hours of the morning.
But Saguaros are just one of the many cactus species in Arizona. Not so well-known is the Ocotillo, pronounced “oc-o-tiyo”. This is a tall, spindly cactus with many arms that sports a beautiful red flower during the springtime. In bloom, the Ocotillo is the favorite of many Arizona residents who can overlook its grey, dormant appearance for most of the year.
The prickly pear, made famous by the Jungle Book is another landscaper favorite as it can cover a lot of ground and produces a pear-shaped colorful fruit in the springtime. The prickly pear can be used in cooking although there aren’t too many recipes that can effectively leverage what’s sometimes described as an earthy, peary, cucumbery, melony flavor. Mostly they are used as a gentle flavoring for martinis and other cocktails.
Also famous is the Cholla, pronounced “choy-a”. This “jumping” cactus is a good one to avoid walking close to, as it has hair-like strands that can attach to passersby, pulling a lump from the cactus and sticking in your leg. Although possible, this is very unusual so don’t be paranoid about the Cholla, it’s just another desert dweller with some unique traits. Because of its tendency to attach itself to passersby, it’s not commonly used for landscaping but can be found in large quantities in desert areas.
The varieties of cactus are manifold and provide some beautiful color in the otherwise color-challenged desert, especially in springtime. It’s worth taking some time to learn about cactus species, in part because your landscape may feature some of them. If you become the owner of a cactus, be sure to check what’s needed for watering because some cactuses, shockingly, don’t need any water! A common mistake is to treat a cactus like a regular plant but if you think about it, they have survived in the desert for millennia without a Rainbird™ that provides water on a schedule.
This brief overview to some of the more common cactuses will be helpful as you learn more about Arizona. But you can learn a lot more by visiting the Saguaro National Park, just 15 miles Northwest of Tucson. It’s a beautiful Park and well worth a day-trip, but make sure you prepare accordingly if you go during the summer months – after all, it does get hot in the desert.
