CACTACEAE GENITALIA

A DESERT PANORAMA

The Cholla cactus in the foreground is one of the spiniest and most colorful cacti found on the deserts of the Southwest. The Barrel cactus (center) sometimes grows 6 feet tall over a 20-30 year period and contains a slimy juice often reputed to have saved lives in an emergency but hardly fit to drink otherwise. (Yes that’s really what it says) To the left, a Mojave Yucca in full bloom.

SEX LIFE…

…of the date palm

Verso:
“At the left of picture is the male blossom, a sprig of which carrying pollen is bound within the female blossom, the cluster of buds in center of picture, and tied with string by the grower. This is done after removal of the brown husk (Spathe) seen at right of picture. About seven months after pollenation, dates are ready for picking. The male and female blossoms are produced by different palms.”

PHALLIC PLANTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Verso:
“SILVERSWORD IN BLOOM…this rare plant in Haleakala National Park, on Maui Island, sports a blossom ten feet high.” 

SILVERSWORD
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, Maui, Hawaii

“The SILVERSWORD—a member of the composit family, grows from 4 to 20 years—finally sending up a flower stalk 1 to 9 feet tall—then dies. Hawaiian name is “Ahina Ahina” which means Silver Hair. The Silversword is found only in Hawaii.”

(8/14 10:48 PM: Reposted due to Tumblr glitch.)