The saguaro cactus blossom is the official state flower. The white flower blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during May and June. The saguaro is the largest American cactus and the age of the cactus is determined by its height
Petrified wood is the official state fossil. Most petrified wood comes from the Petrified Forest in northeastern Arizona.
The agave Century Plant (pictured above) is native to Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. This plant can live anywhere from 10-30 years and spread from 6-10 feet in width and with gray-green leaves of 3–5 feet long, each with a prickly margin and a heavy spike at the tip that can pierce deeply. Near the end of its life, the plant sends up a tall, branched stalk, laden with yellow blossoms that may reach a total height up to 25–30 foot tall. Once blossomed and the all the seeds have disbursed, the stalk will fall and that specific will die.
One of the most primitive rattlesnakes found in the country – the Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake – is the official state reptile of Arizona. This state has 13 species of rattlesnakes, more than any other state.
Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory at Flagstaff on February 18, 1930.
Next time you enjoy a refreshing margarita, thank Arizona. The country’s first barrel of tequila came out of Nogales in 1936.
Arizona is the nation’s sixth largest state in area, but only about 17% of the land is privately owned. The rest goes to Native American reservations, public forest and park lands and state trusts.
Arizona is the only place in the United States where you can be in four states at once. This is at the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.
Arizona is actually the sunniest state. In fact, Yuma, tucked away in the southwestern corner of the state, is the sunniest place on Earth.
