The Amazing Cactus

     There are hundreds of cacti species. Thousands of books have been written about the cactus.  These pictures are what I saw.

The Amazing Saguaro

    The saguaro is the iconic image of the old west, and yet it is found in only a small portion of Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico. Saguaros can live an average life of 150 years, some even topping 200!  They can way up to a ton, and stand 20 feet tall.

Cacti grow from tiny seeds.  The plant flowers at the very top of the plant, and produces fruit which is quite tasty.

This is a nest that has been hollowed out by a bird. 
Cacti can act like desert apartments or condos for a host of animals.
 When one moves out, another moves in.

Once a cactus dies and falls, it is still a home to the
 insects and snakes that live on the ground.

This is a cactus boot.  When a bird hollows out the pulp of a cactus to make a nest, the cactus
 protects itself by forming an airtight scab.  This boot is that hollow scab.  Once the cactus dies and falls,
 the boot can still be a home to an insect of snake.  Susan and I were able to find a boot to bring back for
 my science table at school. 

Every saguaro has an internal set of ribs.  Once the cactus dies, the ribs can be used
for a variety of purposes, such as making furniture.

I love this photo because the cacti are growing among rocks and go all the way up the mountain.

This is a crested cactus.  Scientists are not really sure how the crest forms. The most common
 theory is that the cactus has developed a virus or a bacteria has affected the growth.

Got Tequila?

     The alcoholic beverage, tequila, is made from the fermented juice of the agave cactus.

There are many types of agave

Even baby plants have spines.  When they are all balled up before blooming, the spines leave
 impressions or scars on the other leaves.

A giant asparagus?  This is the agave flower.  They are taller than I am!