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Organ Pipe Cactus
There are 28 different species of cacti in the monument, ranging from the giant saguaro to the miniature pincushion. These cacti are all highly adapted to survive in the dry and unpredictable desert. They use spines for protection and shade, thick skin and pulp to preserve water, unique pathways of photosynthesis at night, and hidden under their skin are delicate to sturdy wooden frames holding them together.

Organ pipe cactus originated in the warm, dry tropics. When the global climate warmed at the end of the last Ice Age, the cactus slowly began migrating further north. It arrived in the Sonoran Desert only about 3500 years ago.

Organ Pipe Cactus can live to over 150 years in age, and will only produce their first flower near the age of 35.

Source: National Park Service
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File information
Filename:0517.jpg
Album name:admin / Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Keywords:Organ Pipe Cactus
Photographer:H. V. Noble
Date:1981
File Size:882 KB
Date added:Nov 18, 2009
Dimensions:689 x 1024 pixels
Displayed:564 times
URL:http://www.cyberbee.com/imagegallery/displayimage.php?pos=-317
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