Subj : ES Picture of the Day 31  2023
To   : All
From : Dan Richter
Date : Tue Jan 31 2023 11:01:06

 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Pincushion Cactus

   January 31, 2023

    Menashe_pincushionepod_Picture1

    Menashe_pincushionepod_Picture2

   Photographer:  Menashe Davidson

   Summary Author:  Menashe Davidson

   The pincushion cactus or  Mammillaria is a genus in the
    Cactaceae family that’s native to the U.S. and Mexico as well as to
   mid-latitude regions of South America. This cactus is noted for its
   small size (about 6 inches or 15 cm tall), its rounded or cylindrical
   shape, its tubercles (rounded projections) arranged in a spiral pattern
   and its funnel-shaped flowers (about 1 inch or 25 mm in diameter) that
   form a halo around the top.

   I grow this popular cactus in my home garden in Rishon LeZion, Israel.
   They’re tough plants that tolerate a variety of conditions. What
   attracted me most is the crown-like formation of the funnel-shaped
   flowers surrounding the top of the plant (top photo).  Mammillaria
   flowers grow out of the axils between  succulent nipple-shaped
   tubercles. The  axils are covered with wooly hairs or bristles,
   whereas the areoles are often covered with a wool or felt-like
   substance. Their bloom period, during the summertime, is relatively
   short – a few weeks, and these cacti hold their flowers for only about
   one week (bottom photo). Note that when viewing the pincushion cacti
   from above, a very organized and  orderly appearance is observed.
   Photos taken on November 18, 2022.


   Rishon LeZion, Israel Coordinates: 31.9730, 34.7925


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Plant Links

     *  Discover Life
     *  Tree Encyclopedia
     *  What are Phytoplankton?
     *  Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
     *  USDA Plants Database
     *  University of Texas Native Plant Database
     *  Plants in Motion
     *  What Tree is It?

-
   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
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