1. The Sacred Saguaro

2. Discussion Time ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Discuss with your partner what you think a Saguaro is ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

3. Have you ever seen this image??
If so, tell the class more!!

4. The Saguaro is the largest cactus Species in the United States!!!
Since it’s the largest, do you think it is found all over the United States?
Take a second to observe the beauty and the unique traits of this plant

5. Believe it or not… SONORAN DESERT
As most of us have seen these unique cacti on television shows, in restaurants, or in many other places, Saguaros are only located in the
SONORAN DESERT
The Saguaro is dominantly located in Arizona, and is also found in a small portion of Mexico and Southern California

6. A Saguaros Environment
Only can survive in a climate that is hot and dry
In the Saguaro region (AZ) weather will hit over 100 degrees for 6 months of the year, and the average rainfall per year is in between 3-15 inches, where mot rainfall happens during monsoon season
A saguaro also helps animals and critters survive in this wrenching heat by providing shelter, food, and shade.

7. The Eccentric Body Style and Lifespan
Lives to be up to 200 years old
By age 70
Saguaros begin to produce their own fruit
Saguaros grow to be about 6 and a half feet tall
A fully grown Saguaro is on average 40 feet tall
An average fully grown Saguaro between 3-5 tons!
This is due to water storage weight
Their roots are only 3 feet deep!
There is an average of 5 arms per cactus, were they start developing their first arms around age 90
It takes some Saguaros 10 years before they even reach an inch of height!

8. A Saguaro Cactus has many uses, ESPECIALLY coming from the fruit that grows from it
The fruit has a mild sweet taste with seeds that provide a nutty flavor
The health benefits include:
Vitamin C
Helps boost immune system
Contains hydrating properties
Contains B12
Avoid strokes and maintain central nervous system
High in fiber
Improves digestive system
Helps to prevent cholesterol block in arteries and cardiovascular diseases

9. WOULD YOU EAT A FRUIT FROM A PRICKLEY CACTUS?!
TIME FOR A
Class
Vote

10. Lets take a blast to the past!!!
Discuss with your partners aspects of the Native American culture we learned about in our last unit
Do you think the Native American Tribes located in Arizona have ways they use this fruit for traditional rituals?

11. A Tohoko O’odham tribe member states
YES!
NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE MANY USES FOR THE SAGUARO FRUIT
In practice of sustenance, religion, and reaffirmation, they use extensive processes to harvest the fruits and seeds
Fruit can be used to make jams, jellies and wine that is used for cultural reasons
Source of medicine
Spines can be used for sewing
And, of course, for eating.
A Tohoko O’odham tribe member states
“You eat the perfect ones on the spot, turning your back to the other harvesrers. You chew the oily seeds into thick syrup before you swallow. It feels luscious and wicked…” (nps.gov, para. 15)

12. How the spines are important to a Saguaros survival
Without these brutal spines on a saguaro, this cactus would be ENDANGERED!
Two inch spines
Covers the cactus head to toe
The large spines are hard and flexible
Small spines serve as flexible bristles
Without these spines:
the saguaro would have no way of protecting its water storage inside
Animals would commonly feast, which would result in a slim saguaro population
Spines are the only way that saguaros can protect themselves be being feasted on by animals, or picked at by humans.

13. Random Facts
A saguaro needs the specific climate and slim water fall to survive
The interior of the cactus is filled with sponge like tissue, allowing saguaros to store massive amounts of water, bringing them to a massive size weight
The flower that blossoms after the fruit is Arizona’s state flower, where flowering occurs between April and June
Bats commonly feast on the flower nectar, and are vital sources in saguaro flower pollination

14. All in all, the Saguaro is an amazing plant that is unique only to the Sonoran Desert
Saguaros develop many traits that make the Arizona desert distinct
Saguaros contain many health benefits
Saguaros have many uses in the Native American Tribes

15. FOR YOUR EXIT WORK Now when you see this figure
You will know what it truly is
Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat when in AZ!
On a half sheet of paper, write 5 facts you learned about the Sacred Saguaro and why you think some plants only can survive in certain regions
Have a great weekend!!!! 