The tall, columnar shape of the saguaro cactus is familiar to any desert traveler. But very rarely (about only one plant in 10,000), a saguaro will grow with a fan-shaped crest of uncontrolled growth at the tip. These oddities of the plant kingdom are known as cristate (or crested) saguaros. The deformity also occurs in other species of cactus, such as the organ pipe and barrel cactus. Science has not yet fully explained why this mutation occurs; perhaps it is caused by frost damage, although many other explanations have been offered. Whatever the cause, I find the swirling shapes strangely beautiful; here are photos of the crested cactuses I have come across in my desert travels.
If you know the exact location of any crested saguaros that are not shown here (GPS coordinates preferred but not essential), please write to me at the email address at the bottom of this page.
Click on each thumbnail to see a larger image.
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