saguaro

views updated Jun 11 2018

sa·gua·ro / səˈ(g)wärō/ (also saguaro cactus) • n. (pl. -os) a giant cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) that can grow to 66 feet (20 m) in height and whose branches are shaped like candelabra, native to Mexico and the southwestern US. Its reddish-purple fruit is consumable as food and drink.

saguaro

views updated Jun 11 2018

saguaro Large cactus native to Arizona, California, and Mexico. White, night-blooming flowers appear when the plant is 50 to 75 years old. Its red fruit is edible. Height: to 12m (40ft). Family Cactaceae; species Carnegiea gigantea.