In The Desert

Cactus

Cardon

Let's start off with the biggest cactus in the desert. Now as far as plants of any kind are concerned this is huge! I'm 6' 1" tall and can reach to 8 ft.so this Cardon Cactus is over 36 ft. tall and look at the spread on it. It had arms bigger than most people in diameter. It's main trunk is bigger than a VW bug. They live mostly in Baja, but there are also some on Mainland Mexico. Some Cardones have been measured at nearly 70 ft. high and weigh up to 25 tons. Many live over 300 years.

Saguaro

The photo on the left -- this cactus no longer exists; it was hit by lightning. Before it's demise it was registered as having the most arms; over 100! The one on the right is over 30 ft. tall. We found it near the Gila Mountains in a remote area.

The state flower of Arizona is the Saguaro Blossom. They are hard to photograph because of their height. Found this one at the base of a scalable cliff.

This is the barrel cactus. This one was over 4 ft. high and was found in Baja, Mexico. They are quite prolific here in the Southwest also. There is a little secret to photographing this type of cactus in the desert. It doesn't hurt the plant and in fact may even help it. See this Message thread on our forum for more info on this.

Barrel Cactus

Here's 4 younger Barrel Cactus. Thet grow toward the Sun to prevent sunburn and this often causes them to fall over. A Barrel that has fallen over is often thought to have done this because of the weight of the water in the cactus, which is false.

Organ Pipe Cactus

This is the Organ Pipe Cactus. Found in Organ Pipe National Monument. They only grow in the Sonoran Desert. This is another cactus like the Saguaro that depends on a nurse plant to protect it while it's growing up. Plants like Ironwood and Palo Verde provide the conditions the Organ Pipe cactus needs. They get 15 to 20 ft. High when full grown.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Here's a Prickly Pear cactus that has one blooming flower. These are often seen and photographed with a multitude of flowers. The flowers are pretty.

Here's a Prickly Pear that's already flowered and the only thing left is the fruit. Almost all cacti have edible fruit that was used by the Native American People, including the Anasazi for making different foods. Today they make a lot of Jelly with the fruit.There are quite a few varieties of this cactus that lives in the desert. Nopales are sold fresh or cavved to prepare nopalitos which is a dish made from the diced cactus.

Chain Fruit Cholla

This is the Chain Fruit Cholla. They grow relatively tall for a Cholla and have what looks like fruit hanging from the cactus branches. Common names; Hanging Chain Cholla, Jumping Cholla, Brincadora, Vilas de Coyote. During a drought the Bighorn Sheep rely on them for food and water.

Hedgehog Cactus

Hedgehog cactus in the desert are very prolific and you'll find them every where. There are a number of different species. The top one shown here is a Engelmanns Hedgehog. They grow low to the ground. There are 6 to 11 species. Found in sunny and often rocky places as well in open areas in the desert. Some varieties have different color flowers from purple to lavender. The flowers close at night and re-open in the morning.

Fishhook Cactus

The Fishhook cactus in the desert is not to be confused with the Fishook Barrel cactus. They are found in many deserts of the Southwest. The top photo is with flower and the bottom is with fruit after flowering. Usually grow up to 6 or 7 inches tall.

The Munz Cholla shown is over 5 ft. tall and get even bigger. They grow in an area around the Bradshw Trail in Ca. Growing in the Colorado Desert it is a rare cactus in the desert and can reach heights of 10 to 15 ft.

Munz Cholla

Teddy Bear Cholla

The Teddy Bear Cholla in the desert. This is also called the Jumping Cholla because the heads break off so easily if touched by hand or with your clothing. They stick -- and have fishhook barbs on the spines. If you get one on you, don't try to move it or it will embed more spines. They are numerous in the desert so beware.

Pencil Cactus

The Pencil Cactus in the desert. The arms are very thin on this cactus; thus the name. But don't let that fool you, it has really long thin spines. This one was photographed in Baja, Mexico.

Claretcup Cactus

The Claretcup Cactus in the desert is a very low growing cactus that some of the most beautiful flowers seen on a cactus. They are bright red as shown here and usually have a lot of flowers to show off.

Buckhorn Cactus

These are Buckhorn cactus in the desert. Actually they are called the Buchorn Cholla. They grow 5 to 7 ft. tall. They grow in elevations that range from 100 to 3,000 ft. Yellow to copper colored flowers.

Bearded Cactus

You'll only find these in Baja, Mexico in the desert. This is the Old Man or Bearded cactus. These grow an average height of 8 to 10 ft. tall and have very fine needles that hang down resembling a beard -- hence the name. The needles on this cactus are not very likely to stick to you which is unusal for any cactus found in the desert.

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