Prickly Pear growing in our Cactus Cove
We named our ranch (Hidden Cactus Ranch) after these hidden WI gems. They are growing literally everywhere the ground has not been disturbed, other than the heavily shaded woods. As much of nature, they have patterns of growth. What you see on growing on the left of the large pad are flower buds, they will start blooming soon. The beautiful yellow flowers last 2-3 weeks. The growth on the right side are three more pads. Click to see the cool pattern on those.
Pines in our Enchanted Forest
Nature offers patterns everywhere, if you let your mind do the wondering.
more ~ ~ Sunday Stills ~ ~ patterns
more ~ ~ Sunday Stills ~ ~ patterns
6 comments:
I was thinking of doing shadow patterns too.
It always strikes me as odd that Prickly Pear grows and thrives in areas of such frigid winter temperatures. Their flowers are quite lovely.
Oh how beautiful!
I've heard about those cacti in our state. I have yet to personally see one though.
I hope you take some shots of the flowers when they bloom.
Beautiful patterns.
I was thinking of lines and patterns today while I took an afternoon walk on the road.
My gardening mentor planted a Prickly Pair in the ditch across from our old house. I have known they could survive our winters for a while now. His cactus has been growing & spreading in that ditch over 30 years! Actually more like 50, we lived there for 20 years. When they bloom, they stop traffic. I had no idea cactus were native to WI tho, until I moved here to sand country. Imagine my surprise.
I learned WI has two varieties (MN does too). I have only seen one species growing on our property: O. macrorhiza (Plains Prickly Pear).
From what I've read, the other species (O. fragilis (Brittle Prickly Pear)) favors rockier terrain. We have zero rocks. I will have to keep my eyes open for this variety when I am around the nearby outcroppings. It is designated as a threatened plant.
I took a few photos of the blooms the year we moved here, but I've missed the blooms the past few years. I am on cactus watch this year!
I truly love natures endless patterns!!
First I love the name of your ranch! Second I've seen that you have cactus before on your blog but I still can't believe they grow there. It seems to cold. The last time I saw those cactus they were at my Grandparents place in Phoenix, Arizona. I think you can make jelly out of them can't you. Great pictures.
Cool cacti! Sand will grow marvelous things! Have you read The Sand County Almanac? Marvelous read:)
Thank you Arline! We had a long list of potential ranch names, but this is the one that wasn't taken and stuck. We wanted a name that would lend itself to anything. It is very fitting. The cacti are mostly tucked into tree lines etc vs in the wide open.
Yes, I understand you can make jelly from their fruit. It would take a lot of cacti tho! They also have natural medicine properties. They even sell Prickly Pear pads in the grocery store, altho it might be a different variety. I believe they use the pads in Mexican dishes. No clue how they remove all the tiny spines, they REALLY hurt!!
I have not read that book Connie, but it sure sounds like I should!
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