Cool things seen around Tucson. Melocactus were cool. No, they didn't cut off the top of a plant and glue a macaroon and some straw flowers onto it. Not a native cactus, Melocatus hail from the Caribbean through Mexico southwards to the Andes.
When I first saw these, I was unsure if they were natural or not, having seen many Cacti with strawflowers glued onto their tops. No, Melocactus really grow like this.
That thingy on the top is a cephalium, from which flowers will sprout.
Another cool thing we saw was the nest of a Cactus Wren in the prickly arms of a Cholla cactus. The purple ribbon was a nice touch.
A fabulously crested Saguaro, looking like a rooster's comb:
Of course the Saguaros themselves, endlessly fascinating. When I was a little kid, I thought all deserts were wonderful because they had Saguaros. Nope. Just around Tucson and a few places south and westwards.
Unusual and beautiful stones. Lots of that in Arizona.
And one non-native little plant I was unfamiliar with. It was sitting in a pot by the fountain at our hotel. Sanguisorba?
So pretty back lit!
One last image of beautiful, beautiful Tucson, the mountains turned smoky blue on a high-cloud afternoon.
When I first saw these, I was unsure if they were natural or not, having seen many Cacti with strawflowers glued onto their tops. No, Melocactus really grow like this.
That thingy on the top is a cephalium, from which flowers will sprout.
Another cool thing we saw was the nest of a Cactus Wren in the prickly arms of a Cholla cactus. The purple ribbon was a nice touch.
A fabulously crested Saguaro, looking like a rooster's comb:
Of course the Saguaros themselves, endlessly fascinating. When I was a little kid, I thought all deserts were wonderful because they had Saguaros. Nope. Just around Tucson and a few places south and westwards.
Unusual and beautiful stones. Lots of that in Arizona.
And one non-native little plant I was unfamiliar with. It was sitting in a pot by the fountain at our hotel. Sanguisorba?
So pretty back lit!
One last image of beautiful, beautiful Tucson, the mountains turned smoky blue on a high-cloud afternoon.
I love to visit the desert and you have strengthened my resolve for a spring trip !I believe your mystery plant is Celosia spicata of some kind.
ReplyDeletegreat shots the first reminds me of an ice cream cone.haha Oh how I miss tucson...and my lost pictures...
ReplyDeleteHi Hoover, I think the mystery plant is a Gomphrena, the one called Fireworks. Google it and see if you agree. I haven't grown it but would like to. I love your cactus photos. Here in the Pacific Northwest we have Opuntia but none of these awesome Sagauros. I love that turquoise colored rock too. Very cool photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking the gomphrena is "strawberry fields".
ReplyDeleteOoh, those saguaros reminded me of my visit to Tucson many years ago. A holiday to remember.
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