Subj : ES Picture of the Day 08  2022
To   : All
From : Black Panther
Date : Thu Dec 08 2022 11:01:34

 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.


 Golden Torch Cactus Flower

   December 08, 2022


    DaleHugo_cactusflower

   Photographer: Linda Marcy
   Summary Author:  Dale Hugo

   Shown above is a Golden Torch cactus flower ( Echinopsis spachiana).
   It was found blooming in the photographer’s yard in Gilbert, Arizona.
   Like most cacti, they bloom at night and only for a short time. Usually
   after dusk the blossoms appear for fertilization by  nighttime
   pollinators that are attracted by the wonderful fragrances of cacti
   flowers. A number of desert pollinators apparently avoid the heat of
   day, and thus the  night blooming tendency of many cacti.

   These flowers last only through the morning, flowering for only 10
   hours or so. But their beauty makes up for the short-lived blooms. This
   one faded out before noon.  Sic Transit Gloria.

   The  Golden Torch is sometimes planted in rock gardens in the U.S.
   Southwest and elsewhere. They attain heights of about 6 ft (2 m) and
   grow in clumps as you can see here. Sometimes the entire head of the
   cactus will be covered with several flowers at once. The spines are
   nearly an inch (2 cm) long and worthy of your respect. Don’t back up in
   an Arizona garden! Be careful not to over-water your cactus plants, but
   they do appreciate sporadic watering during long dry spells. Photo
   taken in early July 2022.

   Gilbert, Arizona Coordinates: 33.3528, -111.7890


Related EPODs

    Golden Torch Cactus Flower  On the Wind: Plant Seed Dispersal
    Carob Mushroom in Early Stage of Growth  Lamiaceae Family of
   Aromatic Flowering Plants   Basket Stinkhorn  Use of Wild Plants
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    More...

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?

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

https://epod.usra.edu
 
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