Crested saguaros are caused by a mutation in the cells of a growing saguaro that cause the cactus to form a fan-like crown at the top of the main stem. This one is at the Desert Botanical Garden.
There is another unusual thing about his cactus. This spring, ecologists noticed that many saguaro cacti were sprouting buds down the side of the arms. This is very unusual. Saguaro usually only bloom at the very tip of each arm.
University of Arizona researchers think this might be a sign of distress to the cacti because of record heat combined with a long drought in the west.
It was so strange to see all those buds down the arms of the cactus this last spring.
13 comments:
It looks almost like an artpiece!
That would make sense.
That is an amazing sight Sharon, the fan shape at the top is most curious. Gosh imagine if a cactus is struggling with the heat, how will the more delicate plants survive!
Glad you shared this, I have never seen those formations
That crest is really weird looking, Sharon!
How strange, on both counts. I've never seen anything like it!
The crest is amazing, looks like a piece of art.
Oh my! What a sight. Climate change seems to be effecting every thing?
Incredible. I have a cactus in my garden much like this one.
(o)
Thanks for a very interesting post. Seems like everything is stressed these days, not just us humans!
I have never seen a cactus look like this . . . amazing.
It looks wonderful - so, it's sad to know it's in distress . . .
Thank you for taking the time to share it.
Thank you for sharing this anomality!
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