By Roger Naylor
Castle Hot Springs nestles in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the most biologically diverse desert in the world. With its subtropical warmth in winter and two seasons of rainfall, the vibrant Sonoran defies the stereotype of a boring brown landscape associated with most deserts. Distinct mountain ranges are separated by wide valleys veined by storm-carved arroyos, creating a variety of habitats. While it’s hard to call any desert lush, the Sonoran certainly qualifies with its density of desert plant and animal life.
The Sonoran is the only place in the world where the instantly recognizable saguaro cactus grows. The tall columnar cactus is an iconic symbol of Arizona, adding fine vertical notes to the landscape. The largest cactus in the United States, saguaros commonly reach heights of 40 feet, although the tallest ever measured towered 78 feet in the air.
Yet they seem in no hurry to rise up. They are notoriously slow growers, especially at first. A 10-year-old plant might only be an inch or two high. During those early years, saguaros need some help to survive. That’s a story that Ryan Myers loves to tell.
Myers is the Adventures and Activities Guide for Castle Hot Springs. On his guided hikes he stops on the trail to point out a small nursery of saguaros, a grouping of young cacti growing beneath the protective branches of other desert residents.
“Palo verde trees, ironwood trees, and other larger shrubs take on the role of “parent plant” for the young saguaros,” says Myers. “The shade and shelter created by these larger plants allow for a better chance of success in life for the young cacti.”
A variety of other cactus types call the Sonoran Desert home, including the plump barrel cactus, prickly pear, hedgehog, and cholla. Perhaps most astonishing is that in spring each species of cactus bursts into bloom, unfurling beautiful flowers in an array of colors. It’s a heavenly display, and one not easily forgotten.
One of the signature desert plants found around the resort is not a cactus at all but a tall gangly shrub called ocotillo. The ocotillo sprouts long cane-like spiny stems and can grow to 20 feet tall. For much of the year, their stalks remain bare as a way to conserve moisture. But following rains, they suddenly explode with a profusion of small oval leaves. When the ground dries out, they’ll drop the leaves and wait patiently for the next rain. Ocotillos have their own private autumns, all through the year.
“It’s fascinating to think of these plants being used as living fences to protect early farms and gardens, or to build ancient hoop homes during the Hohokam era,” says Myers. “In the spring I love steeping the flowers in water, either hot or cold, and creating an ocotillo tea, or refreshing ocotillo water, which tastes like cucumber water.”
The indigenous people of the Sonoran Desert relied on the plants around them for their daily needs. They were a food source, had medicinal qualities, and provided numerous other uses. The leaves of the agave were used to make string, rope, and mats. The heart of the agave is very sweet and was roasted in pits and eaten.
“Grinding mesquite pods into a powder or flour was done in metate grinders by the indigenous people and continues even to the present day,” says Colleen Inman, Castle Hot Springs Wellness Curator. “At Castle Hot Springs we have begun to use mesquite flowers in tea for spa sessions.”
Many other desert plants are part of the wellness programs at the resort. Prickly pear and jojoba are used in wraps. The porous nature of buckhorn cholla skeletons makes for an excellent absorber and diffuser.
“Wolfberries are in our launching apoptogenic tea,” says Inman. “In the same family as goji, wolfberries offer many antioxidants. Desert lavender is part of our seasonal body scrub. Soothing and calming, this plant ideally matches the tone of relaxation found on the property.”
The Sonoran Desert bristles with plant life, which in turn leads to an abundance of animals. More than 350 species of birds wing their way across the skies in the Sonoran, although some like Gambel’s quail and roadrunners prefer to scurry among the cactus. And don’t mistake the lanky roadrunners for their cartoon counterparts. They are fierce predators that eat just about anything they can catch including rattlesnakes.
Another unusual creature often seen at the resort is the ringtail, a slender playful cousin of the raccoon. The ringtail is Arizona’s official state mammal. According to Myers, ringtails like to frolic on the cliffs above the hot springs pools after dark. Look for big bushy tails with alternating bands of black and white fur around them.
Yet of all the Sonoran residents, none provide quite as much pleasure to resort guests as the javelina. Also known as the collared peccary, they are medium-sized animals that resemble a wild boar. They live in family groups and since the females can give birth anytime of year, often travel with babies. The young are called “reds” due to the color of their hair.
“Many of our guests get the chance to spot these unique animals during their stay,” says Myers. “The javelina love coming out onto the grass in front of the cabins during the evenings.”