Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus

by Tanya Owens

Title

Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus

Artist

Tanya Owens

Medium

Photograph - Original Photographic Work

Description

While hiking through the beautiful desert country side in Cabo San Lucas, I met this beauty, affectionately known as the Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus, officially named Ferocactus Peninsulae. Native to the Baja California Sur, this cactus can grow up to three feet tall and two feet wide. Its bright orange and yellow flowers bloom from the spring to early summer and its greenish-blue skin often develops purple striations during cold weather. It was traditionally used for food & medicine by the first people, but is now protected by the Mexican government. Several birds & bees enjoy the sweet nectar produced by the flowers while Javelinas and other desert mammals consume the fruit & seeds it produces.

Uploaded

January 19th, 2024

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