Cactus Bud
by Robert Bales
Title
Cactus Bud
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
One of the strangest plants of the desert, the night blooming cereus, is a member of the cactus family that resembles nothing more than a dead bush most of the year. It is rarely seen in the wild because of its inconspicuousness. But for one midsummer's night each year, its exqusitely scented flower opens as night falls, then closes forever with the first rays of the morning sun.
They are found on the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southern Arizona, east to western Texas and south to northern Mexico.
The flowers are very fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers, which bloom for only one night and they are up to 4 inches wide and as much as 8 inches long.
Echinopsis is a large genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. One small species, E. chamaecereus, is known as the peanut cactus. The 128 species range from large and treelike types to small globose cacti. The name derives from echinos hedgehog or sea urchin, and opsis appearance, a reference to these plants' dense coverings of spines.
Echinopsis is distinguished from Echinocactus by the length of the flower tube, from Cereus by the form and size of their stems, and from both in the position on the stem occupied by the flowers. They are remarkable for the great size, length of tube, and beauty of their flowers, which, borne upon generally small and dumpy stems, appear much larger and more attractive than would be expected.
Uploaded
January 21st, 2015
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Viewed 2,101 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/23/2024 at 1:23 PM
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Comments (45)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #7 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.
Joyce Dickens
Absolutely breathtaking Robert; I am nominating your work for a Special Feature in the 1000 Views on 1 image group! :-))
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Kay Brewer
Fabulous macro work, Robert. Congratulations on your lovely art reaching more than 500 views! l/f
Anita Kimball
Stunning photo capturing the colorful beauty of our Arizona desert! So beautiful!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Anita for the wonderful comments and I sure am waiting for this year bloom!!