Just some glorious specimens on my travels through the wonderful Mexican countryside.
Prickly pear is a common english name for this cactus, prevalent and common in arid to semi-arid areas of the world, grown as an edible plant, both the young stems and the fruit it bears.
Or in these here parts more commonly known as the Mexican Fence Post Cactus, a majestic towering plant, thick prickly stems and as its name suggests planted in rows or clumps is used as a living breathing fence.Burglar Bill won't get through that in one piece.
Pollinators, saviours of the world
A cactus endemic throughout Mexico it is strong sturdy and can reach 8ft in height, flowering winter time bright pink flowers
I love the architecture of the Barrel Cactus, some can live to be 100 yrs old and grow to over 8ft in height.
There are nearly 50 species of Yucca growing across the Americas, it has many uses. parts of it are eaten widely, and it is also handy as a fuel for fire starting
Yuccas have a very special pollination system; being pollinated by yucca moths which transfers the pollen from one plant to another at the same time laying an egg in the flower; the larva then feeds on some of the developing seeds, always leaving enough seed to perpetuate the species. Now thats living in harmony.
Mother nature cares for her children
Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2).
Unless stated all images are shot by me, all text is mine based on various info sources. NOT AI generated.
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