The Giant Cactus
Desert saguaro plants are remarkable. These giant ca can sometimes grow fifty feet tall and can weigh ten tons. They have survived beautifully in what is mostly an inhospitable land. The saguaros have been able to do this in ways that have made them different from other plants. They have an accordion-like structure that allows them to store a large supply of water. In the wet periods, they swell and fill up with water. When the dry periods start and they begin to use their water supply, they become smaller. Also, these giant cacti are able to conserve their water supply in a remarkable way. They have no leaves, so the possibility of evaporation is greatly reduced. Their extensive root systems are close to the ground surface, so the plants can absorb water rapidly. There is a lot to learn from the giant saguaro. It has faced the desert with its heat and meager rainfalls and conquered it.