Bunny Ear Cactus
by Robert Bales
Title
Bunny Ear Cactus
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
One of our several cacti we have in our front yard.
The Bunny cacti is native to northern Mexico and desert regions stretching into Arizona. This plant has the appearance of a shrub, and spreads out to cover between 2-5 feet of ground as a mature plant. Named for its visual appearance, the Bunny Ear Cactus, also called the Polka-Dot Cactus, has the scientific name of Opuntia microdasys. The spines come off with a simple touch, and are best removed from flesh with tweezers.
How It Looks: This cacti has no central stem or leaves. The individual segments which constitute the cactus body are oval shaped pads from which additional segments form. These new segments always grow in pairs, giving new growth areas the appearance of bunny ears. Newest segments grow in as a red color, and mature to dark green as they grow. Flowers will always sprout from the terminal ends of segment pads.
The Polka-dot Cactus covers its mature pads with closely spaced glochids, or small mounds of prickles that are designed to detach when impacted by something. Once fully formed, the glochids form on the new plant segment. The glochids are so loosely attached that a strong breeze can cause them to go airborne.
The flowers only bud at the termination points of fully formed segments. Budding begins in late spring, and culminates in early summer with 2 inch wide blossoms. These are a creamy yellow in color, and fade to peach once fertilized. Flowers will turn into 2 inch long fruits varying from purple to red in color. Bloom encouragement is not needed.
Uploaded
March 31st, 2016
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Comments (16)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #15 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.....L/F/Tw
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks, Christopher for the information, congrats, and the nice discussion!! Thanks for the LFTw!!
Diana Mary Sharpton
gorgeous floral Robert: nominated for special feature in the 1000 view group T/F
Kim Tran
Superb capture of these delicate cacti flowers Robert, wonderful light! l/f
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Kim for the very nice comments on the cactus!! The flowers are delicate but the plant sure is not!! Thanks for the LF!!
Donna Collins
Fantastic work...beautiful lighting!! l/f
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Donna for the lighting comment. This one is in my front yard so I waited for the lighting.
Lexa Harpell
Fabulous work Robert, the light 'through' the flowers is amazing! :)
Robert Bales replied:
These are in my front yard and I just happen to notice the light so I had to get my camera. Thanks for the nice comment!!
Ruth Housley
You have some nice cactus flowers series Robert!! Ruth
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much Ruth for the very nice comment. I am waiting for one ours to bloom today or tonight.
Bob and Nadine Johnston
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Arizona - Fine Art!"
John Bailey
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Lucinda Walter
Congratulations! Your beautiful work is featured in the FAA group "Beauty of Arizona" l/f