This is Texas

One of the biggest misrepresentations of Texas is the use of a Saguaro Cactus.

As one who is familiar with the deserts of North America, I can tell you that you will only find Saguaros in the Sonoran Desert and despite this fact, the Saguaro is still used as a symbol through out the great state of Texas.

As I go around town here in Alpine, I spy several of these misplaced symbols here and there. Yes, the cactus is iconic to the American Southwest yet it is NOT native to the Chihuahuan Desert which covers much of Far West Texas and Northern Mexico.

While I have seen transplants growing in El Paso and around these parts, these plants do not fare well here and often require extra measures to keep it healthy and alive. So,...with all this said,..

If you want to represent Texas with a plant that truly represents us, I'd suggest the use of the Lechuguilla plant because it is a native species and an indicator plant of this here Chihuahuan Desert.

What's more...

Check out the lyrics sung by a Rev. Horton Heat:

"There's something that's been bugging us Texans.
And It's time that we set the record straight.
Concerning a species of cacti.
That grows in a whole different state.
The cactus in questions' called saguro.
It's tall with big arms in the air.
And if you've ever traveled in Texas.
I'm sorry but you won't see them there.
Hollywood and mis-informed artists.
Made the saguro a Texas Icon.
But the saguro only grows in Arizona.
Where people've got em' out on their lawn.
I love the sonora desert.
I'll bet people there are glad I'm telling you.
That the saguro only grows in Arizona.
And part of Northern Mexico too.

There ain't no saguro in Texas.
It's not the kind of cactus we've got.
But somehow we're stuck with this image.
And changing it is gonna take a lot.

Folks in Mexico and Arizona.
Are probably glad that I've cleared the air.
There ain't no saguro in Texas.
But we've sure got a lot of prickly pair.

Yes it's true that we've got a lot of desert.
But we've got a lot of piney forests too.
Hundreds of miles of beaches.
Hollywood just doesn't have a clue.

Theres prickley pair of cactus in Texas
Those coleos' are sure good with eggs.
Boots are required footwear.
So cactus needles won't stick your legs.
Longhorns and blue bonnet flowers.
Lima trees and great barbeque.
Rattail and coral cactus.
Mesquite trees' and peyote too.
Yee Haw!"

Oh and if you drink Arizona Tea, you're drinking another fluid sweetened by the ever-so-evil High Fructose Corn Syrup. I'd rather not. Gimme Honesty.

V