Ta dum...the Saguaro Bloom

[lindyannajones]

Here's a mind bender. Put your notion of a cactus to the side for a moment and think of the Saguaro as a fruit tree. In reality that's what they are. True, they serve the critters of the desert really well but their over-arching raison d'etre is reproduction. On this score, they do a fine job. In a lifetime (which is how long?), the average Saguaro will produce 40 million seeds. These blooms, which appear between April and June, grace the tops of the trunk and arms like a May garland. The blooms will eventually produce pear-like fruit, providing a sweet and tasty treat for all, including native people who have gathered their fruit for centuries. Saguaro fruit wine will be served at sacred ceremonies and candy and jelly will satisfy the sweet tooth. I present the Saguaro Bloom.







(Larger view on Flickr)

[fstopMike]

Finally, the blooms! and well worth waiting for! You've been educating me and teasing me.... until now. Thanks for showing me the blooms, they are positively wonderful. Do they have any scent? That reminds me...I'll have to go check my prickly pear blooms for a scent. Thanks so much for sharing. And such a fitting place for my 1000th post.

[A-O]

another stunning images lindy my friend...
these are great great flowers...
and thanks for the info !
really looks great in the larger version...
visit the flickr page gang ! it's really worth seeing ! higly recommended !

[CharlieJ]

Nice photos... and post processing composition. Lovely Saguaro blooms that do remind one more of a fruit bud than a prickly ol' cactus.

[Fred flyfisher]

Talk about a culmination of beauty. Now I know more than I ever could have known about the stately Saguaro cactus. A fruit? Who'd a thunk it? Nice work Lindy. I love these photos. You've done an excellent job my firend!

[angeleyes216]

Your comments are outstanding and full of interest. the set is gorgeous and i hope to one day get out there and see all this beauty for myself. another amazing post. Thank you.

[Up North Photos]

Ney , the Ta dum Ching doesn't do justice to this outstanding finale, I see fireworks being displayed with these beautiful blooms and the narrating calls for a round of applause with a standing "O"! Great mini series.

[RustySterling]

Nicely done Lindy. You captured some nice shots. I especially like the fourth one. That pistol looks like a hand coming out of the flower.

[wgrube]

The saguaro can live up to 200 years! Beautiful pictures!
Here's one of a "mandacaru", a brazilian cactus that resembles the saguaro.

[lyacadajar]

what a beauty amidst those thorns! amazing plants! valuable series and i really loved how you presented them.