Crested Saguaro Upon The Saguaros — Image by kenne
Cristate or “crested” saguaros form when the cells in the growing stem begin to divide outward,
rather than in the circular pattern of a normal cactus. This is an unusual mutation that results
in the growth of a large fan-shaped crest at the growing tip of a saguaro’s main stem or arms.
Crested Saguaro — Art by kenne
First posted November, 2011
Image by kenne
— kenne
Image by kenne (December 19, 2014)
Crested Saguaro Under Dark Sky (Sabino Canyon) — Image by kenne
— kenne
Cactus Wren Atop A Crested Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
— John Szarkowki
A Crested Saguaro Next To a Regular Saguaro In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Sometimes the growing tip of a saguaro produces a fan-like form. Such a saguaro is called a crested saguaro. Crested saguaros are rare and generally do not produce arms, making this one for the record books — at least in my book.
kenne
With the sun rising over the Rincon Mountains, east of Tucson in the Saguaro National Park,
The Monday Morning Milers begin hiking the Wildhorse Trail in a chilly 32 degree fall morning.
The Wildhorse Trail is very dusty from no rain in several months.
The desert grasses glow from the morning sun.
The trail leads toward one of the canyons along the Wildhorse Trail.
The park, named after the beautiful giant saguaro cactus, is occasionally graced by the rear crested saguaro cactus.
The saguaro cactus are rarely found in groups, such as this group of twelve 20 to 70-year-old saguaros.
Images by kenne
Long after death, the ribs of saguaro remain standing, a shadow of its live self.
kenne
Crested Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
The cristate (or crested) saguaro is rare in the plant world. Science has not yet fully explained why this mutation occurs — many explanations have been offered. This one is located near the Sabino Canyon dam.
kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 