Saguaro Cactus: From Life to Death
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Topic: Biology
Subtopic: Plants
Type: Article
Level: for grades 6 through 12
Time: Less than 1 period
Origin: Young Naturalist Awards
 		Keywords:
Biodiversity • Botany--Field work • Desert ecology • Deserts--Arizona • Plants--Observations • Saguaro • Succulent plants


This winning entry in the museum's Young Naturalist Awards 2003 examines the saguaro cactus. Kyle's narrative essay, with illustrations and photographs, includes:
  • the question that guided his expedition: What are the stages of life of the saguaro cactus?
  • details about his hikes and observations, during which he was able to find every life stage of the saguaro except for the earliest (seedling)
  • his unsettling discovery of black dead skin on the bottom of most of the cactuses he observed, and his research into its cause and implications for the cactuses' survival

teach tip

Supplement a study of biology with an activity drawn from this winning student essay.

  1. Divide the class into small groups and send them to this online article, or print copies of the essay for them to read.
  2. Have the groups research in detail how and why the saguaro cactus is protected under Arizona law and safeguarded as a state treasure.
  3. As a final project, have students create an educational campaign that includes a poster, a fund-raising letter, and the script for a television commercial.