The saguaro cactus is one of the dominant forms in the Sonoran Desert landscape. While a young saguaro takes nearly a decade to reach an inch tall, during many decades it can reach up to fifty feet., making it the largest cactus in the United States. At seventy-five years old, the cactus begins to sprout arms and reach ages estimated to be 200 years. A large cactus can weigh more than eight tons.
The saguaro is also one of the most nurturing members of the desert community. It flowers in the spring, producing many buds near the near the tops if the stem and main branches. Bats, bees, and doves visit the nectar-rich flowers. When pollinated, the flowers give rise to succulent fruits that will split open to reveal a red, juicy pulp containing up to 2000 small, black seeds. These fruits and seeds provide the sustenance to a wide variety of birds, mammals, and insects. The Tohono O'odam Indians use the fruit to ferment a beverage similar to wine. Saguaros also provide shelter from the desert heat and cold to several species. The most conspicuous of these is the Gila woodpecker, which creates many of the nest holes in the mature saguaro stems. Each year the woodpecker creates a new hole. The previous hole is then occupied by insects, lizards, or occasionally a pair of pigmy owls who will stay in the same nest for up to seven years. The Gilded Flicker also produces nest holes in saguaros. Occasionally, major branches of saguaros will also support large twig nests of hawks such as the Red-Tailed Hawk or Harris Hawk.
In summary, the saguaro cactus embodies many of the attributes to which the clinic strives. It is a significant contributor to the community, and it provides a stable, nurturing environment for its neighbors.