Crested saguaro 🌵

Came across a crested saguaro 🌵 today on a guided geology walk. Nice that she was also pointing out interesting flora.
Here are some interesting facts.

A crested saguaro, also known as a cristate saguaro, is a rare type of saguaro cactus with a fan-shaped crest on its main stem or arms.

Rarity
Only about 1 in 200,000 saguaros develop a crest, and they usually start to do so when they are 60 to 80 years old.
Causes
The exact cause of the crest is unknown, but some speculate it's a genetic mutation, while others think it's due to freeze damage or lightning.
Flowers
Crested saguaros produce flowers that open around midnight and last until noon the next day.Leggi altro