The Story of the Saguaro - Chapter One: Seeds and Seedlings
Keasey MS. 1978. The Story of the Saguaro - Chapter One: Seeds and Seedlings. Sonorensis. (1):5-7
First chapter of a book, printed in succeeding issues chapter by chapter, published by the Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona. Describes natural barriers to saguaro seed establishment and growth. Although an average saguaro may produce millions of seeds during its lifetime, chances are that only one of these may ever become a mature plant. Tiny seeds from ripe fruits may be consumed by birds or animals or moved by insects such as ants. Germination is difficult as some seeds fall onto bare ground where they perish from lack of moisture and excessive heat or become buried too deeply to germinate. Some saguaro seeds may lie dormant for as long as three years. Saguaro seedlings are vulnerable to extreme heat or being trampled on by animals or humans. The only ones with any chance of survival are those which begin their growth in the protective shelter of a plant or a rock. Overhanging branches of a mesquite, ironwood, paloverde or bursage provide shelter to seedlings. These trees and shrubs are referred to as "nurse plants".
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Keasey, Merritt
- Units
- SAGU
- Keywords
- nurse plant, phenology, saguaro, Sonoran Desert
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Desert Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Terrestrial Complex , NPS.gov Subject Site: Biodiversity , NPS.gov Subject Site: Deserts , NPS.gov Subject Site: Iconic Trees