A saguaro is a giant cactus that grows in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Mexico, famous for its tall trunk and distinctive arms that reach toward the sky like a person raising their hands. These remarkable plants can grow over 40 feet tall and live for 150 to 200 years, making them among the oldest living things you might see.

Saguaros grow incredibly slowly. A saguaro might take 10 years to grow just one inch, and it won't sprout its first arm until it's about 75 years old. The thick, accordion-like trunk can expand to store up to 200 gallons of water during rare desert rains, helping the cactus survive months of scorching heat and drought.

These cacti are impressive plants that serve as entire ecosystems. Woodpeckers drill holes in their trunks to build nests, and after the birds move out, tiny elf owls move in. In spring, creamy white flowers bloom at the tips of the arms, opening at night to be pollinated by bats. The flowers become sweet red fruits that desert animals and people have eaten for thousands of years.

The saguaro has become a symbol of the American Southwest, appearing in countless movies and photographs. It’s pronounced “suh-WAR-oh.”