Carnegiea Cactus #01-2012H 02
Giant Saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea
Distribution Sonoran deserts in the USA and Mexico
Saguaro spines, when they first form, grow rapidly, adding as much as several mm per day. The actively growing spines are all at the top of a given spear or side branch. Once new rings or aureoles of spines form, the older spines stop growing.
This individual has eleven vertical ridges of spines. I have no idea whether this is typical or unusual; or whether all specimens of the species have this number. I saw no sign of ridges merging or dividing as the spear increased in height.
March 1, 2012
Arid Dome, Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory
Giant Saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea
Distribution Sonoran deserts in the USA and Mexico
Saguaro spines, when they first form, grow rapidly, adding as much as several mm per day. The actively growing spines are all at the top of a given spear or side branch. Once new rings or aureoles of spines form, the older spines stop growing.
This individual has eleven vertical ridges of spines. I have no idea whether this is typical or unusual; or whether all specimens of the species have this number. I saw no sign of ridges merging or dividing as the spear increased in height.
March 1, 2012
Arid Dome, Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory
Carnegiea Cactus #01-2012H 02
Giant Saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea
Distribution Sonoran deserts in the USA and Mexico
Saguaro spines, when they first form, grow rapidly, adding as much as several mm per day. The actively growing spines are all at the top of a given spear or side branch. Once new rings or aureoles of spines form, the older spines stop growing.
This individual has eleven vertical ridges of spines. I have no idea whether this is typical or unusual; or whether all specimens of the species have this number. I saw no sign of ridges merging or dividing as the spear increased in height.
March 1, 2012
Arid Dome, Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory
Giant Saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea
Distribution Sonoran deserts in the USA and Mexico
Saguaro spines, when they first form, grow rapidly, adding as much as several mm per day. The actively growing spines are all at the top of a given spear or side branch. Once new rings or aureoles of spines form, the older spines stop growing.
This individual has eleven vertical ridges of spines. I have no idea whether this is typical or unusual; or whether all specimens of the species have this number. I saw no sign of ridges merging or dividing as the spear increased in height.
March 1, 2012
Arid Dome, Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory
See photo in original gallery.