Organ-pipe cactus, (Stenocereus thurberi), Spanish pitaya dulce, large species of cactus (family Cactaceae), native to Mexico and to southern Arizona in the United States. Organ-pipe cactus is characteristic of warmer rocky parts of the Sonoran Desert in Baja California, Sonora (Mexico), and southern Arizona.
What is the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument famous for?
Considered the greatest of the ancient southwest cultures, the Hohokam achieved remarkable successes during their time, and are today most noted for the creation of extensive irrigation canals fed by the Salt and Gila rivers. Several miles of irrigation canals can still be seen on the desert floor at Organ Pipe Cactus.
Are there organ pipe cactus in Saguaro National Park?
Perhaps the best place to explore the Sonoran is here in Organ Pipe and farther north in Saguaro National Park. They are part of the same desert yet very different. … Organ Pipe, an International Biosphere Reserve, is far more remote. It shares 31 miles of border with Mexico.
Are Organ Pipe Cactus protected in Arizona?
In Arizona, cactus rustling — stealing or killing the state’s iconic saguaros — is a felony. It’s illegal to shoot or deface the iconic cactuses or to remove them from parks, where the slow-growing succulents can reach more than 60 feet and live up to 200 years.
Why is it called Organ Pipe Cactus?
It is named for the organ-pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi), which is found in large stands in the United States only in this locality and is so called because its branches resemble organ pipes.
How old is the oldest cactus?
Old Granddaddy was about 300 years old when the saguaro cactus started to die in the 1990s. Old Granddaddy is the oldest known cactus ever in the world. Not only was Old Granddaddy old, it was a giant at over 40 feet tall and had 52 arms just before it died. You may also read,
Is Joshua Tree a cactus?
Joshua trees aren’t actually trees—they’re succulents, a type of plant that stores water. In their dry ecosystems, however, they are considered trees of the desert. … Joshua trees are desert plants and they are most commonly found in the Mojave Desert in the southwestern United States. Check the answer of
Is it illegal to remove a cactus in Arizona?
As for state, tribal or private land, removal or destruction of saguaros in Arizona is illegal without the landowner’s permission and a permit. Many municipalities also have additional requirements to protect and preserve native plants on private land.
Are prickly pears illegal to pick in Arizona?
One word of caution, though, like any wild plants here in Arizona, the Prickly Pear cactus is federally protected by law. Therefore, neither the fruit or the pads cannot be picked without a permit. Read:
Is it illegal to take dead saguaro cactus in Arizona?
Skeletal remains of the Saguaro and Cholla cacti being taken from private, State, and Public lands in Arizona may have an adverse impact on the fragile desert environment. … Again, cactus skeletons (or any dead plant or plant parts) are not protected under the Arizona native plant law.
What animal eats the Organ Pipe Cactus?
These animals play an important role in the ecology of the desert and should not be harmed. They include the roadrunner, western diamondback rattlesnake, red-tailed hawk, coyote, cactus wren, javelina, desert tortoise, Gila monster, Gila woodpecker and white-winged dove.
How often do Organ Pipe Cactus bloom?
It arrived in the Sonoran Desert only about 3500 years ago. Organ Pipe Cactus can live to over 150 years in age, and will only produce their first flower near the age of 35. Organ pipe cactus will bloom in May and June, opening its white, creamy flowers only at night.
How often should I water my Organ Pipe Cactus?
For the majority of the indoor potted cacti, watering once every ten to fourteen days should be adequate during the growing season. During the dormant season, the plants need less water. Before watering, a golden rule is to check the soil for any moisture.
Is a cactus bad luck?
Both Vastu and Feng Shui experts suggest that cacti, although pretty, can transmit bad energy at home. It is believed that the prickly and sharp thorns on the leaves carry the bad energy in them. Cacti can bring misfortune at home and also cause stress and anxiety within the family.
What happens if saguaro cactus dies?
“Left untreated it will spread through the park, up to five thousand feet in elevation. Saguaros, creosotes, all of the flowering perennials that we have here could be replaced by this non-native grass.” I look around, imagining all these strange and wonderful desert plants replaced by a grassland, and shudder.
