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Natalie Ann
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Entwined in Spines
DianaT's thread included some neat pix of cactus snaking through bushes and trees. That got me thinking about the symbiotic relationship between the
cactus and desert trees. On Diana's thread I said this (skip quote box if you read it there).
| Quote: | Originally posted by Natalie Ann
About those cactus entwining with the mesquite trees. From the Cactus Sanctuary guide I learned that those cactus and trees have an incredible
relationship. Entwining with the tree provides support for the cactus, keeping it safe from wind and storm damage. That entwining also provides
supports for the mesquite trees to climb and therefore they become taller, too. A mutual 'lean on me' relationship. The guide said that in entirely
natural deserts of long ago Mexico, this type of growth was the norm.
And what's really interesting is that over time the mesquite trees sorta meld with the cactus, and cactus sprouts begin to grow right out of the tree.
At first I thought the cactus was merely sprouting from 'crotches' in the tree branches, rooting in the accumulated debris. Guide told me not so....
and showed me spots where the cactus was growing directly out of open branches.
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I found some pix which illustrate this relationship.
Here is a large tree blown by strong desert winds into the cactus, which held it up enough to keep it thriving.
A closer look at how the tree and cactus entwine.
The closeness of the cactus and the trees is inviting to many other life forms. There are lots of birds and here's evidence of a bee hive on the side
of the cactus.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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If you look at this lovely vision of cactus, you see the shrub or tree branches woven through.
Here's one of those little cactus starts in the crotch of the tree.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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Growing on a more flat part of a branch.
Another...
Some of those cactus begin right here... and there's still some tasty sweet sour cactus fruit for me.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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Beautiful cactus growing all by its lonesome.
The information center is built of petrified cardon.
When you're in the Sur near El Triunfo, stop by the Cactus Sanctuary. It's a most interesting spot... and the only shade for miles around.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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DianaT
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Thanks! Enjoy the pix and the education. I look forward to going there sometime---looks like a great place.
Diane
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djh
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Mood: Mellow fellow, plays a yellow cello...
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Indeed ! Thank you
I loved these photos.
On one of my daily hikes up north in Idaho (Tubbs Hill, which is a natural park / hill jutting out into Lake Coeur d'Alene), one of my favorite sights
is a "nurse tree" that I have been watching for well over 20 years..... An old, bent over fir tree hanging out over the lake, with a, now about 20
year old, pine tree growing straight and tall right out of it. I always hear Elton John singing "Circle of Life" in my head when I look at it :-).
Thanks for sharing the photos.
djh
Its all just stuff and some numbers.
A day spent sailing isn\'t deducted from one\'s life.
Peace, Love, and Music
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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outstanding photos Nena...gracias
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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Hola Natalie Ann,
thank you for the WONDERFUL pictures and education about cactus. for years, i have just driven through el triumfo on my way to or from la paz and
didn't realize there was anything to stop for other than what is obvious from the road and also to buy the fantastic cactus fruit, i forget what month
they are available.
where is this cactus sanctuary from the main road ?
i thank you in advance,
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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Natalie Ann
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The Cactus Sanctuary is a road angling off Mex 1 just north of El Triunfo.... it angles off to the, well, southwest if one considers the highway to
head straight south (which it doesn't). You see the side road and have to look in a ways to where it divides.... there's an enormous sign announcing
the Cactus Sanctuary. Follow the arrow down the dirt road while watching for cows and gigantic holes. Doesn't take long.
There's a rather interesting small cemetery across from the cactus place..... and if you continue down the road you'll come to the tiny town of El
Rosario, where they make colorful and lovely woven small baskets for keeping tortillas warm and such.
Once we drove much further back... on the way to JR's beloved Lago de Oro. The road narrows a good bit.... and we had to back out due to a dead cow
across the path.... but it's real pretty back there, with a little arched cement bridge that crosses water part of the year.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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Here's the sign you're looking for - it's large.
And here's the rather erotic welcome cactus.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Sharksbaja
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What beautiful and profound pics to your credit, thanx Nena!
I particularly like most of them!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Skipjack Joe
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Thanks for posting these images about this place. I must have passed it many times without knowing it's presence.
My favorite is the 'lone cactus'. It looks to be an organ pipe.
The one that looks like a flower. I've always thought that that was caused by some sort of infection or disease. But that's just a theory. Mexitron
would probably know.
Regarding the symbiotic relationship - I have doubts about that.
The visitor center looks like a very welcome place. I don't know what it is about arboretums - they always have such a calming effect. And the visitor
center seems to be that way.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Natalie Ann
If you look at this lovely vision of cactus, you see the shrub or tree branches woven through.
nena |
Since this is one of my favorites, can I keep the photo?
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Natalie Ann
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I loved that little info center, Igor. Just a plain building - entirely petrified cardon inside and out. It was dark and cool - a real delight that
day.... and something about being in it felt just right.
I really like the Cactus Sanctuary and have visited on many occasions. The guide there is knowledgeable and friendly, and within the Sanctuary is
very thick old desert growth unlike anything I've seen elsewhere. The number of birds, lizards, snakes, bugs and other small creatures is amazing.
As for the story told to me about the symbiotic relationship.... I'm not gonna slit a vein and swear to its truth. That's what the cactus dude said
but he could have been shining me on. I did actually see those cactus growing directly from the tree... although how they did that is for the likes
of Mexitron to answer. I'd love to hear from him on the topic.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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torch
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I love cactus and it loves to stick me
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Skipjack Joe
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Natalie Ann
As for the story told to me about the symbiotic relationship.... I'm not gonna slit a vein and swear to its truth. That's what the cactus dude said
but he could have been shining me on.
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One of the few good things about aging and getting old (and there are soooo few) is the confidence to disagree with authorities. I'm not saying he's
wrong but if I have doubts I'll voice them rather than accept them. Anyway, we don't have to take the thread in that direction if you don't want to. I
just saw what happened to Diane's thread.
BTW, I've changed my mind. The picture of the flowering cactus is probably not an infection but the early growth of a new branch, don't you think?
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Natalie Ann
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
Since this is one of my favorites, can I keep the photo?
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Of course you may use this photo, Diane....
and thank you very much for asking my permission.  
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Natalie Ann
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
One of the few good things about aging and getting old (and there are soooo few) is the confidence to disagree with authorities. I'm not saying he's
wrong but if I have doubts I'll voice them rather than accept them. Anyway, we don't have to take the thread in that direction if you don't want to. I
just saw what happened to Diane's thread.
BTW, I've changed my mind. The picture of the flowering cactus is probably not an infection but the early growth of a new branch, don't you think?
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About your doubt, Igor. I'm curious about this, too. I sent a u2u to Mexitron asking if he knew more. I'm open to information from any plant folks
out there.
I think that 'flowering' cactus is some kind of aberration of growth. Believe shari talked about that once. I'll send her a note in case she doesn't
see this.... ask her to 'splain again.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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shari
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funky cactus growth....sure I know why...Goddess's Will!!!
i shall be so bold as to post this fresco cactus whales tail.
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Mexitron
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yup, the "flowering" cactus has a condition known as "cresting" and it is generally caused by a virus getting into the apical cells where cell
division starts.
its an interesting idea---that the mesquite and the cactii have a symbiotic relationship...although from what I know of, the symbiosis is mostly in
favor of the cactus...very often you will find that cacti seedlings growing in the shade of a mesquite or other plant---in these cases where the host
plant is protecting the seedlings from full sun the host plant is called a "nurse plant". But a symbiosis would imply a benefit to the mesquite which
I'm not sure there is.
Another twist though is that cacti are actually descendents of tropical vines---they evolved out of the tropics as deserts were forming millions of
years ago---in fact there are a few intermedaries still growing today--one example is Pereskia and it looks like a vining sprawling cactus...!
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