Cacti/Desert Succulents

Saguaro National Park is home to 25 species of cactus ranging from the towering saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) to the tiniest type of cactus in the park, the mammillaria (Mammillaria spp). The most common cacti species at Saguaro National Park and within Tucson, Arizona include:

 

Saguaro Flowers

NPS Photo

Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)

 

Barrel cactus

NPS Photo

Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii)

 

Staghorn cholla cactus

NPS Photo

Staghorn cholla cactus (Opuntia versicolor)

 

Hedgehog cactus in full bloom

Pinkflower hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus fendleri var. fasciculatus)

 

Prickly pear flowers

NPS Photo

Engelman's prickly pear cactus (Opuntia engelmannii)

 

Teddybear cholla and its flower

NPS Photo

Teddybear cholla cactus (Opuntia bigelovii)

 

Chainfruit cholla flower

NPS Photo

Chainfruit (jumping) cholla cactus (Opuntia fulgida)