Crested Cactuses

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The tall, columnar shape of the saguaro cactus is familiar to any desert traveler. But very rarely (perhaps only one plant in 100,000), 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. 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 some of the crested cactuses I have come across in my desert travels.

Tonto National Forest, Arizona

Thanks to Glenn K. for guiding me to these!

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: March 2008.

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: April 2008.

Cristate saguaro cactus. This crest measures an amazing 9 feet across! Last visited: April 2008.

Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: April 2008.

Various species of cristate cactus in the Sybil B. Harrington Cactus Gallery. Last visited: April 2008.

Superstition Mountain Museum, Apache Junction, Arizona

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: March 2008.

San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Arizona

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: February 2008.

Cristate saguaro cactus. Only one arm of this saguaro exhibited a crested shape, but the entire main trunk shows irregular patterning. Last visited: February 2008.

Tucson Botanical Garden, Arizona

Photos by Bizarre Backroads contributing photographer John Orman.

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: March 2008.

Tucson Mountain County Park, Arizona

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: March 2008.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona

Cristate saguaro cactus. Last visited: March 2008.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona

Cristate saguaro cactus. This magnificent specimen, with a crest that spreads about 6 feet across, is located in an area that is now closed to all access, so this cactus can no longer be visited by the public. Last visited: March 2002.

Cristate saguaro cactus. Instead of forming a fan-shaped crest, the irregular growth of this saguaro trunk stayed in a columnar shape. Last visited: March 2006.

Cristate organ pipe cactus with crests on three arms. Last visited: March 2007.

Cristate Organ Pipe cactus. Last visited: March 2007.

Standard disclaimer: Sites are described for entertainment purposes only, as they were at the time of my last visit. I can not vouch for the current condition of the site or its accessibility.