Feel free to hum along. On the first day of cactus, my true love gave to me: A dove in a prickly pear tree. On the second day of cactus, my true love gave to me: Two agave pups and a dove in a prickly pear tree. On the third day of cactus, my true [...]
mammillaria
Fibonacci Spirals
April 6, 2014 – Posted in: SucculentsSunflowers and nautilus shells exhibit a geometric spiral that is found in many cacti and succulents. I thought you might enjoy some examples. Isn’t nature amazing? This is Aloe polyphylla, the spiral aloe. Next, some cacti. These are Sempervivum arachnoideum (cobweb houseleeks). This is a Medusa euphorbia. And another mammillaria. If the spiral form of [...]
My Spiny Valentine
February 6, 2014 – Posted in: SucculentsPrickly pear cactus pads sometimes form hearts. I wonder what the plant is trying to tell us: “Be mine but don’t touch me?” This last is a mammillaria. (You can call her Ma’am.) Here’s a bit of trivia: I used to think that mammillaria got their name because they’re rounded like mammillary glands. But no, [...]
Warm Wishes from GGW
December 20, 2012 – Posted in: Garden Plants, Perennials, SucculentsNature is astonishing, isn’t it? How delightfully ironic that the flowers of many cacti resemble water lilies and the tops of some, snowflakes. Here are 18 examples to warm you this chilly season. Apologies to cactiphiles; I wasn’t able to identify all of them. If you would like to provide one or more IDs, please do! — [...]
Why I Can’t Resist Cactus Flowers
June 20, 2012 – Posted in: Garden AdventuresI can’t help it. I’m fascinated by cactus. Cactus used to be a non-category of plants to me. But here’s the thing: I love looking at them. I’ve started a small collection. I’m wary of course, I know they bite. Cacti are a little like having an exotic pet. You admire it, but keep it [...]