Claret cup cactus
The last thing I photographed at Monahans Sandhills State Park on April 13th was this claret cup cactus, Echinocereus coccineus. Talk about saturated color.
Like the ocotillo you saw the other day, this plant isn’t native in Monahans, but it does grow in some other counties in west and west-central Texas, so someone must have planted it in the place where I found it close to the park headquarters.
© 2014 Steven Schwartzman
Cactus have some of the most beautiful flowers. You can look but you can’t touch. Well obviously you can, but not without peril.
Steve Gingold
May 14, 2014 at 6:16 AM
Cactus flowers themselves aren’t armed, but getting close to them is usually perilous, as I can attest from plenty of encounters. Still, as you say, cactus flowers are among the most beautiful, so the occasional poke is worth it.
Steve Schwartzman
May 14, 2014 at 6:26 AM
They are so beautiful but I guess you will not pick some.
bentehaarstad
May 14, 2014 at 7:39 AM
You’re right, Bente, both about the beauty and about my not picking any.
Steve Schwartzman
May 14, 2014 at 7:53 AM
Beautiful colour on the cute hedgehogs candles. Lots of candles in the desert, it seems.
Gallivanta
May 14, 2014 at 8:22 AM
Yes, there’s all that heat and light in the desert. I can see why people would think of candles.
Steve Schwartzman
May 14, 2014 at 11:38 AM
What a fiery glowing colour!
Heyjude
May 14, 2014 at 12:00 PM
You said it. This one certainly caught my eye.
Steve Schwartzman
May 14, 2014 at 5:35 PM
Beautiful cactus Steve, I love the red colour of the flowers.
chatou11
May 14, 2014 at 12:24 PM
These flowers were the brightest thing I saw in nature at Monahans.
Steve Schwartzman
May 14, 2014 at 5:36 PM
At this point in my life, I don’t think I’d want to live in the desert. On the other hand, there’s not a more remarkable landscape in the world. I’ve sometimes thought it’s as though the various cacti and other plants have decided it’s their role in life to make up for their stark, sere surroundings with convoluted shapes and over-the-top colors.
Just like this one!
shoreacres
May 17, 2014 at 1:16 PM
I’m with you: I wouldn’t want to live in the desert but I’m happy to spend time there. This latest trip was overdue, so I went. The flowers of cacti and ocotillo are good examples of what you say about compensating for being in harsh surroundings. Beyond that, I never seem to get enough of convoluted shapes.
Steve Schwartzman
May 17, 2014 at 1:27 PM