- Feb 5, 2002
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A hint of crazy things to come may be playing out in the Arizona desert — and it involves a giant species of cactus.
Saguaros, which can live for centuries and grow to nearly 80 feet, have erupted in spring blooms that are spreading far beyond the norm. It’s almost as if the plants are breaking out in a rash of blooms.
This is happening in the Sonoran Desert and experts suspect it may be an example of how the warming environment is impacting even the oldest of plants.
A rare phenomenon is unfolding in Arizona: Saguaros cacti, which live centuries, have erupted in blooms that are spreading across their bodies like a rash.
“Tucson residents are witnessing an extremely rare phenomenon: saguaro blooms are literally busting out all over,” the Sonoran Desert Network & Desert Research Learning Center reported May 26 on Facebook.
“Saguaros typically bloom in spring. And when they do, the blooms are usually confined to a crown at the very top of the main body or mature arms,” the center wrote. “But after an unseasonal bloom last fall, saguaro flowers are now appearing down the length of main stems and arms, and — remarkably — even on small buds.”
The odd behavior takes on added significance given the saguaro’s long life span.
Continued below.
‘Extremely rare phenomenon’ reported among centuries-old cacti in Arizona desert
Saguaros, which can live for centuries and grow to nearly 80 feet, have erupted in spring blooms that are spreading far beyond the norm. It’s almost as if the plants are breaking out in a rash of blooms.
This is happening in the Sonoran Desert and experts suspect it may be an example of how the warming environment is impacting even the oldest of plants.
A rare phenomenon is unfolding in Arizona: Saguaros cacti, which live centuries, have erupted in blooms that are spreading across their bodies like a rash.
“Tucson residents are witnessing an extremely rare phenomenon: saguaro blooms are literally busting out all over,” the Sonoran Desert Network & Desert Research Learning Center reported May 26 on Facebook.
“Saguaros typically bloom in spring. And when they do, the blooms are usually confined to a crown at the very top of the main body or mature arms,” the center wrote. “But after an unseasonal bloom last fall, saguaro flowers are now appearing down the length of main stems and arms, and — remarkably — even on small buds.”
The odd behavior takes on added significance given the saguaro’s long life span.
Continued below.
‘Extremely rare phenomenon’ reported among centuries-old cacti in Arizona desert
