There are lots of fun facts about the saguaro cactus. Did you know that?

• The saguaro is often called the desert's tallest tree but this multi-armed plant is a kind of cactus.
• The saguaro cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert and is only found in four places, the U.S. states of Arizona and California and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California.
• The saguaro is a slow-growing plant. It takes the cactus roughly 14 years to grow three feet tall and between 60 and 75 years to sprout its first arm. Saguaros with five arms are more than 150 years old!
• The saguaro cactus produces its first flower when it is about 50 years old. The white blossoms open only at night, last less than 24 hours, and are pollinated by moths and bats.
• The saguaro's tough green skin is pleated just like an accordion. This enables the cactus to expand as its roots soak up water after a heavy rain and contract as it uses the water up.
• The saguaro cactus is home to two kinds of birds, both the Gila Woodpecker and Glided Flicker bore holes in the saguaro and use them as a nest.
• The saguaro was a source of food for the Hohokam and Salado Cultures, two prehistoric Native American peoples. They made flour, cakes and jam from the saguaro's fruit, pulp and seeds.