Carnegiea is a monotypic genus of cactus, family Cactaceae, containing the single species Carnegiea gigantea, the saguaro, native to the Sonoran Desert in western Sonora, Mexico and western Arizona in the United States, with roughly 30 wild individuals also documented in southeastern California. This tree-like cactus can exceed 40 feet in height, typically lives more than 150 years, and develops side branches or arms that increase its flowering capacity. Its remarkable water-storage ability lets it survive extended dry periods, and it functions as a keystone species supporting numerous other desert organisms.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionEndemic to the Sonoran Desert; found primarily in western Sonora, Mexico, and western Arizona, United States 1 Defining CharacteristicsColumnar cactus that grows branches, usually called arms 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceGrows 3-16 m (10-52 ft) tall and up to 75 cm (30 in) in diameter 1 Classification
Living or Extinct In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Carnegiea - Wikipedia
Introduction
The saguaro ( sə-(G)WAR-oh, Spanish: [saˈɣwaɾo]; Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea that can grow to be over 12 meters (40 feet) tall.
Taxonomy section
Carnegiea gigantea is the only species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea.
Distribution and habitat section
The Saguaro is endemic to the Sonoran Desert and is found primarily in western Sonora in Mexico, and in western Arizona in the US.
Description section, growth form sentence
The saguaro is a columnar cactus that grows branches, usually referred to as arms
Description section, size sentence
Saguaros grow from 3-16 m (10-52 ft) tall, and up to 75 cm (30 in) in diameter.
View the Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ8175886, descriptionView the Source Wikidata: Saguaro Cactus
Wikidata Q275573, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Saguaro (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIn Group: Cactus Genera (Cactaceae), LeadQuote, In Group: Cactus Genera (Cactaceae), Lead
The saguaro ( sə-(G)WAR-oh, Spanish: [saˈɣwaɾo]; Carnegiea gigantea) is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea that can grow to be over 12 meters (40 feet) tall.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.