Cholla Cactus

Cholla Cactus (Opuntia bigelovii)

Location:  Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA

This Cholla Cactus (Opuntia bigelovii) is sometimes called the Teddy Bear Cholla, because its dense spines make it look rather fuzzy, especially from a distance.  This cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert.

Prickly Pear Cactus - Close-up View

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmannii)

Location:  Sonoran Desrt, Arizona, USA

Yesterday I posted a photo of a Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii), from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.  Here is a close-up shot of the Prickly Pear.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmannii)

Location: Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA

The Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) is another common cactus found in Arizona's Saguaro National Park.   Unlike the Giant Saguaro, which grows very tall, the Prickly Pear grows in shrubby clumps.   Its spines are long and straight, like needles*.   In the spring, the Prickly Pear bears bright yellow flowers.

* Here's a macro photo of the Prickly Pear, showing its long spines.

Giant Saguaro

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Location: Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA

The Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) is a large tree-like cactus found in the Sonoran Desert.   In fact, the Saguaro cactus grows naturally only in the Sonoran Desert.

I took this photo while hiking in the Saguaro National Park, located in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Arizona.  According to information on the Saguaro National Park website:

An adult saguaro is generally considered to be about 125 years of age. It may weigh 6 tons or more and be as tall as 50 feet. The average life span of a saguaro is probably 150 - 175 years of age. However, biologists believe that some plants may live over 200 years.

This specimen was about 20 feet tall.