Scarface Saguaro

Photos by Lisa E White

Saguaros are the veterans of the desert.  In order to survive for 200 years, the mighty saguaro has developed a beautiful way to heal itself as you can see from pictures of the saguaro in my yard, named Bud.  When birds or insects drill into its surface, the saguaro builds a callus by emitting a substance called lignin, an organic polymer that is sap-like, then hardens like wood, protecting the cactus from water loss.  Often, the entire hole is encapsulated into a "boot" which makes great nests for cactus wrens, gilded flickers, Gila woodpeckers, elf owls, etc.  Native Americans even used these boots to hold water because they are water-tight jugs.  But, like the saguaro itself, even the boots are illegal to remove from the desert, so don't even think about it.  You wouldn't want Sheriff Joe knocking on your door.