Carnegiea gigantea

Carnegiea gigantea (= Cereus giganteus), commonly known as Saguaro, Giant Cactus, is a tree.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Carnegiea gigantea 11.1 History 11.2 Carnegiea gigantea in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Carnegiea gigantea was already described and the name validly published by Georg Engelmann. It was not until 1908, however, that Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Saguaro is the single species in the genus Carnegiea (saguaro) which belongs to the family of the Cactaceae (Cactus Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The trees grow to a height of approximately 16 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are funnel-shaped. The plants bloom in June. The flowers are arranged solitary.

The fruits are berries.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Carnegiea gigantea is native to California, Arizona and Mexico. It is a protected species according to the Washington Convention.

[edit] Cultivation

The Saguaro prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -6,6º C. It grows best in soils that are dry.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Aeskulap  Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Carnegiea gigantea

[edit] History

[edit] Carnegiea gigantea in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Carnegiea gigantea in the File:HP commons leaf writing logo file 6KB.jpg

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Carnegiea giganteafr:Carnegiea gigantea