The Saguaro cactus is one of the most recognizable desert plants, known for its towering, iconic shape that defines the landscape of northwestern Mexico. Its thick stem can grow up to 75 centimeters wide and is lined with 12 to 30 ribs, each protected by sharp spines measuring 5 to 7 centimeters long. Some specimens can live for 200 to 300 years.
These cacti are common throughout Baja California Sur, especially in areas like La Paz and Todos Santos. One of the best places to observe them is the Cactus Sanctuary, located just over 50 kilometers from La Paz along Highway Mexico 1. This sanctuary hosts some of the oldest known specimens, some over 500 years old, thriving in an undisturbed ecosystem.
More than a desert symbol, the Saguaro plays a vital role in the local ecosystem. Its arms offer shelter to various animals, and its presence helps prevent soil erosion. While it thrives without human care, it has become an enduring emblem of the Southern California desert.
Baja California Sur is also home to two of Mexico’s oldest trees. One of them, the San Javier olive tree, grows at the Mission of San Francisco Javier in the Sierra de La Giganta. Though it may appear ordinary, it was planted by Jesuit missionaries in 1699 and is over 300 years old. Introduced from Europe, the olive tree provided olive oil, food, and shade for the missions. Remarkably, it still bears fruit and remains rooted in its original location. It shares its garden with other introduced species like date palms, pomegranates, lemon trees, and grapevines, part of a model agricultural system developed to sustain the missions.
Another ancient native species is the stream oak, found exclusively in the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve. Endemic to Baja California Sur, this oak has evolved to survive in dry mountainous regions, growing only in areas with seasonal streams and natural shade. With roots stretching back over 50 million years, it is one of the most restricted oak species in the world.