Saguaro Skeleton
- Feb 21, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: Mar 11, 2024
by Mary Kay Fosnacht
24” x 32” (61 x 81 cm)
The Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is an interesting species. They are native to the Sonoran Desert which is very close to where we spend time while in Arizona. Saguaros can grow to be over 40 feet (12 meters) tall and can live 150 - 200 years. They can be extremely slow growing depending on the amount of moisture they acquire. In the first 10 years they typically grow 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). If a saguaro has arms you know it is over 60 years old.
While hiking, we occasionally come across dead saguaro’s. What remains are the “ribs” which formed the skeleton of the cactus. These ribs are as long as the cactus and have a density similar to that of a hardwood. More info about the saguaro can be found HERE.
The saguaro is dye-painted and appliquéd. This piece is inspired by a photo taken by myself in Cave Creek, AZ.
In process:
@mfosnacht
This brought back such a vivid memory. My family used to vacation in Arizona when I was a kid, and I remember being absolutely fascinated by the saguaros. One year, we were hiking, and we stumbled upon a saguaro that had clearly been dead for a long time. It was just this incredible, skeletal silhouette against the bright blue sky. The way the arms had dried and twisted was almost like a sculpture https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ I remember touching the dry, woody ribs and being amazed at how sturdy it still was, even in its decay. It felt like a monument to time and survival. It’s funny how something that’s essentially gone can still feel so present and commanding. It really makes…
What a fantastic post about saguaro skeletons! It’s truly first-rate, and I especially appreciated the detailed insights you provided. You know, your observations about the skeletal structures perfectly mirror my own conclusions from when I've encountered them out in the desert. It's always so striking how much life and history can be inferred from what remains https://www.esafety.gov.au/ I’ve copied some of the key points into my own notes; it’s just that valuable. This level of thoroughness is precisely the quality standard I look for when reading about these iconic desert giants. It makes me wonder, if you were to begin this exploration again, would you approach the saguaro skeleton in the same manner, or would you perhaps take a different…