Have you noticed a patchy beard of buds on some of the saguaros in your neighborhood?

You’re not imagining things.

Cactus experts are tracking an unprecedented outbreak of “side blooms” on saguaros across Southern Arizona and beyond.

Typically, the giant cacti sprout flowers only around the tips of their arms and trunks, but this year a large number of them are also pushing out buds farther down their stems.

Research ecologist Bill Peachey said he has received reports of saguaros blooming in strange places from the Phoenix area to as far south as San Carlos, Mexico.

“And there are examples all over the Tucson valley,” he said. “It’s a big phenomenon.”

The exact cause is unclear, but the experts agree that the rare display is almost certainly a sign of distress.