Sentinels of the Dawn - by Pat Kofahl

Sentinels of the Dawn by Pat Kofahl A stand of Saguaro Cacti is silhouetted against the Sonoran Desert sky at Picacho in Southern Arizona. Saguaros have a relatively long life span. They may grow their first side arm anywhere from 15–25 years of age, but some never grow one at all. A saguaro without arms is called a spear. The arms are grown to increase the plant's reproductive capacity (more apices lead to more flowers and fruit). The growth rate of saguaros is strongly dependent on precipitation; saguaros in drier western Arizona grow only half as fast as those in and around Tucson, Arizona. Some specimens may live for more than 150 years;[1] the largest known saguaro is the Champion Saguaro. It grows in Maricopa County, Arizona, and is 13.8 meters (45.3 ft) tall with a girth of 3.1 meters (10 ft). - Wikipedia