It appears on all car license plates and provides a universally recognized image of the Southwest. Saguaros are seen in the Sonoran Desert from Southeastern California to Southern Arizona.
Saguaros thrive on desert slopes and flats.
The saguaro is most commonly found between 1,000 and 3,000 feet altitude. They can tolerate lower temperatures and can therefore survive further north than any of the other species of large cactus. There are many densely forested regions in the Southwest, but two large areas of the Sonoran Desert on either side of Tucson have been selected and preserved as the Saguaro National Park. This was upgraded from National Monument status in 1994. The saguaro is the largest cacti, reaching up to 50 feet high.