Chuck Ripper (American, B. 1929) "Carnegiea gigantea Cactus" Signed lower left. Original Gouache/Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.N. 32c Carnegiea gigantea Endangered Plants Series stamp issued March 14, 1996. They can rise more than 30 feet above the desert sands of the American Southwest. Their fragrant flowers feed birds, bats and bees, and their fruit can be made into a tasty jelly. Venerable examples have survived in their harsh desert environment for two centuries or more. Yet today America's saguaro cactus is an endangered species. Photographic evidence provides proof that the population of these candelabra-like plants is waning. Pictures taken just a few decades ago show hills filled with saguaros. Recent photographs of the same hillsides proclaim a tragedy in the making. For some reason as yet unknown, the saguaros are dwindling. Where once they were plentiful, they are becoming scarce. Unfortunately, saguaros are notoriously slow-growing plants. In their arid habitat, they grow less than five inches per year, and it can take up to 60 years for a plant to form its trademark "arms" paralleling the main column. That fact, coupled with the increase in human development throughout the Southwest, creates a discouraging scenario. Were the saguaro to disappear, many species of birds that depend on it for nesting space and shelter would suffer. And a living reminder of the legendary American West would vanish into history. Image Size: 12.5 x 14.5 in. Overall Size: 14.75 x 17.75 in. Unframed. (B15322) See More