Jim McGinnis with the Department of Agriculture found a crested saguaro cactus jutting out above other plants at a nursery near Scottsdale and Jomax roads. Crested saguaros occur in less than one of every 200-thousand saguaros. The plants are protected by state law on the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s “highly safeguarded” list. The saguaros are identified by a strange growth pattern on their main stalk. The cactus fans out, as though blossoming toward the sun. The Department of Agriculture claimed the cactus and decided to replant the cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It can be seen near the Lost Dog Wash Access Area at 124th Street north of Cactus Road.
Rare saguaro cactus discovered in north Scottsdale
May 23rd, 2006 by christinatoo
I LOVE Saguaros! How do I share with you the crested saguaros that I have found and studied for years. They have become my friends and need not only recognition, but they MUST BE PROTECTED!
I look forward to your response.
I too love Saguaros. We plant specimen Saguaros that are saved from construction sites. I am also big on hiking the desert from Mt. Lemon to the Superstitions. What an amazing picture. I have never seen anything like it..