State Flower of Arizona

The state flower of Arizona is the Saguaro Cactus Flower (Carnegia gigantea). The saguaro cactus is the largest cactus plant in the United State, and its blossoms appear on the tips of its long arms in May and June. Saguaro Cactus Plants and Saguaro Cactus Flowers are found almost exclusively in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, usually on south-facing sides of slopes, often under "nurse plants" such as the palo verde tree, at elevations from sea level to 4000 feet.

Facts About the Saguaro Cactus Blossom
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cereus giganteus
COLOR: White with yellow center
SIZE: About 3 inches in diameter
HABITAT: Sonoran Desert of Arizona
BLOOMING SEASON: May and June
LIFESPAN: About 18 hours

The Life Cycle of the Saguaro Cactus (PDF)
Information from the United States National Parks Service about saguaro cactus flowers, buds, fruits, seelings, young trees,arm growth, and mature stages.

USFS Carnegiea Gigantea (Saguaro Cactus) Article
Inforamtion about the Saguzaro Cactus and the Saguaro Cactus Flower from the United StatesForest Service. Includes an introduction to the plan and information about its distribution, botanical and ecological characterists, fire ecology, and management considerations.

NPS Saguaro Cactus Profile

Wikipedia Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea Gigantea) Article

See also:
Other State Symbols of Arizona
More About Arizona
Arizona for Visitors