Bloomipedia
Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
Photo: CK2AZ via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

★ Official state flower of Arizona (1931)Native to Arizona

Saguaro is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Arizona it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.

2states
54,819AZ sightings*
54,959U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona

🏅
Arizona's official state flower since 1931. Visit the Arizona page → Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 41-855 The law calls it the flower of Cereus giganteus, an older name for the saguaro. Saguaros are protected under the Arizona Native Plant Law, and removing one needs a permit.

Quick look

The saguaro is a tree-like cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea that can grow to be over 12 meters tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. Saguaro typically grow at elevations ranging from sea level to 4,500 feet (1,400 m), although they may be found at up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m).

  • It belongs to the Cactaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona. NatureServe
  • In Arizona, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as orange. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 9 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 54,819 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #1 among the 109 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist

Saguaro gift ideas

Handmade saguaro gifts from independent makers.

When does it bloom?

In Arizona, most flowering sightings come in April–June.

Flowering records by month in Arizona (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,223 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Salvage restricted On Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025): salvage restricted (permit needed to remove). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CA (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: it's on Arizona's rare plant list (salvage restricted). AAC R3-3 App. A

Can you eat it?

For peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records saguaro in 2 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Cochise, Gila, Graham, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Yuma.

More Arizona flowers

Sources