The tall mothers stand there
The tall mothers stand there
Whitely they flower
Black the blossoms dry
Red they ripen.
- A Tohono O'odham (papago) saguaro-growing song.
Unlike most cactus fruit, that of the Saguaro splits open easily when ripe. Finally, the sweet pulp is cooked and made into jam and wine.
Photo taken on December 4, 2007 - just west of Roosevelt Lake, AZ