This is the second part of the series on ocotillo. Today's photographs are a conventional specimen shot and an impressionistic shot with the Lenbaby lens. The wand-like stems are instantly recognizable in the southwestern USA as being Fouquieria splendens. This does not hold true if one visits Mexico, where the stems of at least a few of the other ten species have a similar appearance.
Botany / conservation resource link: Botanic Gardens: Using Biodiversity to Improve Human Well-being, a recently released report from Botanical Gardens Conservation International “which addresses the fundamental linkages between the conservation of biological resources and the reduction of world poverty. The report highlights the important work being carried out across the globe by botanic gardens, who see the protection and sustainable use of plant diversity as the foundation for the improvement of human well-being.”
I know few people will see a new comment on a "previous year" page, but it seemed appropriate:
I just got back from Anza-Borrego and I have to report that I saw an ocotillo, ONE ocotillo, with pale yellow flowers! Didn't know they came in that flavor.
Any photographs, Eric?
Yes, Daniel, I got some photos. I've loaded the best one onto my Flickr page (my first Flickr pic!) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/15627081@N08/2437422711/
Oh, I should add that this was taken after a 3.5 hour hike up the ridge to the south of the mouth of Palm Canyon, at about 2580' elev. (~1800' above the campgrounds).
The top photo really brings back memories. Saguaro National Park is one of my favourite places of all -- if you respond to desert landscapes, this feels like another world, especially for someone living in a city in a temperate zone.
My first visit to SNP was just after the spring rains, and many species of cactus were in bloom. I remember being very enchanted with this desert, and making an effort to learn the names of the cacti. Thankfully, that exercise pretty much "took", as I still know many of them. Ocotillo (and the saguaro, of course) are two species I especially like.