The Crested (Cristate) Saguaro

Cristate saguaro

NPS / S. Brooks

What is it?

The saguaro cactus is Carnegiea gigantea, an iconic plant of the Sonoran Desert and Saguaro National Park. Within the park boundaries, our dense cactus forest is populated with about 2 million saguaros. Most of these appear as a tall column that sprouts arms, or branches, when 65-75 years old. Some saguaros develop a unique fan-shaped pattern at the growing tip. This consists of hundreds of small folds, or pleats, similar to much larger "ribs" found on the skin of the saguaro trunk. Only about 75 saguaros with this crested, or cristate, growth form have been found in the park.

Mystery of the cristate

Biologists disagree about why some saguaros grow in this unusual form. Some speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of freeze damage or lightning strike. At this point, we simply do not know what causes this rare, crested form. Even if the saguaro has a cristate pattern, it will still produce viable flowers, fruits and possibly arms. Like all columnar saguaros, no two crested saguaros are the same. Many mysterious growth formations can happen in a cristate. For example, a regular arm can grow from the crest and arms themselves can also be crested.

 

Cristate chain fruit cholla

NPS photo / T. Wiewel

What about other cacti?

Cristation does not only occur in the saguaro. It can also occur in other cactus as well. Within the park, biologists have found crested barrel, cholla, prickly pear and even pincushion cacti. The fan-like formation will occur the same way in these other cacti, but keep in mind that each individual cristate will be unique in its own way. This happens more often in barrel cactus. It is rarer to witness other cacti with the cristate formation, so consider yourself lucky if you ever catch one! Though, cristation can be confused with another phenomenon called fasciation, as fasciation produces very similar results. On a saguaro, the cristate growth is highly visible, especially if it seems to add a "head" to the already human-like cactus.

 

Crested saguaros found in the Rincon Mountain District (east)

The Rincon Mountain District is home to many cristates, but only a handful can be seen or accessed from the trails. See if you can find these beauties within the park!

 

NPS photo

Location: Javelina Picnic Area spur road
Access: View from car; located directly on roadside (pedestrian access not recommended)

Located on the road curve between Freeman Homestead Trail and Javelina Picnic Area—the most accessible of our cristates, it has been forming for more than 20 years. Note the normally placed and formed arms that have grown below the crest since it first appeared.

 

NPS photo

Location: Garwood Trail
Access: 1.5 mile hike from Douglas Spring trailhead; cactus is located directly adjacent to the trail

Our best trailside cristate—hike east on Douglas Spring Trail, turn right on Garwood Trail and continue to a wash crossing just north of Carrillo Trail. The cactus will be on the northeast side of the wash at the crossing. An impressive, fan-shaped example!

 

NPS photo

Location: Tanque Verde Ridge Trail
Access: Three miles and more than 1,000 feet in elevation gain on the trail, this saguaro will be on your left about 30 feet to the southeast of the trail

If you want a good workout and it's not too hot, hike to this smaller cristate overlooking the Rincon Valley. The views and the wildlife (Gila monsters, golden eagles, and many more!) are worth the trip. Watch for the cactus at approximately three miles up on the right-hand side of the trail.

 

NPS photo

Location: Mica View Picnic Area
Access: About a hundred yards from the parking area, this cristate is to the east of the Mica View Trail

One of the most accessible cristates in the park—from the parking / picnic area, follow the foot trails headed east toward the bathroom. From the bathroom, turn to the north, and you will see this younger cristate saguaro immediately ahead of you.

 

NPS photo

Location: Loma Verde Trail
Access: Northwest of the junction of Pink Hill Trail (West) and Loma Verde Trail

From the Loma Verde trailhead, follow Loma Verde Trail north for 1.3 miles. When you encounter the junction with Pink Hill (West), continue on Loma Verde Trail, and you will see the crested saguaro ahead on your left.

From the Broadway trailhead, head east on Shantz Trail until it connects with Pink Hill (West). Follow Pink Hill (West) Trail 0.7 miles, and turn left on Loma Verde Trail. The crested saguaro will be ahead on your left.

 

Location: Cactus Forest Trail inside the loop drive
Access: East of the trail about 0.3 miles north of the Lime Kilns historic site

You best chance to see this weird cristate is to hike out to the Lime Kilns historic site from the North Cactus Forest trailhead (from the loop drive). On the way back (hiking north), watch carefully on your right. Binoculars are helpful for viewing from the trail.

 

Crested saguaros found in the Tucson Mountain District (west)

The cactus forest in the west district has a good number of cristates—you just have to know where to find them! Check out our list below to see which of these saguaros you can see or access from the trails.

 

Location: Sandario road
Access: This saguaro can be seen from Sandario road. No trail access.

Traveling north on Sandario, this crested saguaro is about 60 feet to the right of the park's welcome sign.

 

Location: Sandario road
Access: This cristate can be seen from Sandario road. There is no trail access.

Traveling north on Sandario, this saguaro will be at least 100 feet off the road on the right, and it is about half a mile north of the intersection of Sandario and Mile Wide road.

 

Exit the Red Hills Visitor Center and turn right (west). In 0.2 miles, look to your right, and this cristate will be about 60 feet from the road. There is no trail access to this saguaro. For extended viewing, park at the paring area on the left 0.1 miles ahead and walk on the road for a better view.