Flowers

Queen of the Night Flower Stalk

Queen of the Night Flower Stalk

This is one of three flower stalks currently growing on the native “Queen of the Night” (Peniocereus greggii) cactus up on the hill behind our house. The location of the cactus is unfortunate for us since it is a steep climb to get to the level where it is growing. Moreover, since these bloom exclusively at night, we won’t be able to see them open because 1) steep night time climb where no lighting exists, and 2) nocturnal critters like crotalus (rattlesnake), coyote, javelina and mountain lion can be present in our rural patch of desert.

I am going to try and keep an eye on this cactus in order to possibly catch a morning after photo or two before the flowers eventually fade. Wish me luck.

Star Cactus Flower

Star Cactus Flower

I took this photo of the flower that bloomed on my Astrophytum “Star Cactus” yesterday. Although related to my Bishop’s Cap Cactus, it doesn’t have flowers as often, at least not yet. This flower measured about four inches in diameter and is, as you can see, beautiful. Click on the image to enlarge.

Agave Flower Stalk

Agave Flower StalkThere is a giant agave flower stalk about five hundred feet down the road toward the pavement from our place. We have been watching it grow over a couple of months and now, with the top looming over twenty feet in the air, its flowers are ready to open.

I took my Canon EOS Rebel SL1 on our daily walk down the road and snapped this photo of the picturesque flower chandelier high atop the stalk. I actually had to take two images, above and below, and stitch them together to render the composite at the right.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Star Cactus Flower

Star Cactus Flower

My Astrophytum (a.k.a. Star Cactus) had a flower open today. We have been watching it since it was a bud a couple of weeks ago and today it opened wide. There are also some more buds that will likely produce flowers this spring. Last year, this cactus had flowers all the way into August, so we look forward to more of them. Click on the image to enlarge.

Saguaro Flower Season

Saguaro Flowers and Buds

This is the time of spring when our Arizona State Flower starts showing up on the saguaro cacti. The image above is of a saguaro crown up the road from us. Flowers are also beginning to appear on our big saguaro out front.

We love our springtime cactus flowers, both in the wild and in our cactus garden. Click on the image to enlarge.

Saguaro Cactus Flowers

Saguaro Cactus Flowers

This is a saguaro in our neighbor’s yard. It is really busy making spring flowers, some of which are open. The saguaro in question is about five hundred feet east of us near the paved toad. Click on the image to enlarge.