Cholla

Monsoon Desert Bloom – Mammillaria

Jeff

For those who are unfamiliar with the Sonoran Desert around North Phoenix, let me explain what happens during the heat of the summer through the middle of September.

The desert often creates strong dust storms and rain storms. These are customarily referred to as “monsoons” although technically they probably do not meet the necessary criteria for such a designation. Read more about our desert monsoons HERE!

During these storms, the Sonoran Desert receives much of its yearly rainfall. This past week, we had some very strong storms with winds and much rain.

When the “monsoon” storms arrive, there are desert plants that respond by soaking up the moisture and using the opportunity to bloom and produce seeds.

The picture below shows one such plant across the street from our house which is basically “the desert”.

desert plants after a rain 

Plants in the desert after the rain


The large plant in the center/top of the photograph that looks like it has antlers is a cholla. This is one plant that people try to avoid because it is segmented with a multitude of needles. The needles grab on to clothing, skin, leather or almost anything and a segment then breaks off and goes for a ride with the bearer. This is one way the cholla propagates.

In front of that large pant is a smaller cluster of cacti. This is a mammillaria and it produces a variety of pinkish flowers that nearly look artificial. They are very attractive and seem as if they would be at home in a tropical drink at the local brew pub.

Here is a closer look…

mammilaria blooms from above 

This mammailaria cluster has dozens of flowers which create a colorful bouquet

This is a non-cultivated plant that grew on its own. We do enjoy having it in our neighborhood!

Cholla – Do Not Touch

Jeff

Life in the desert keeps me on my toes especially since I enjoy hiking when the weather is reasonable. There is a group of cactus in the Sonoran Desert known as Chollas and there is quite a variety of them. The picture below is part of a Cholla (cactus). Notice all of those thorns!

This is certainly one cactus you do not want to touch. If you study the “arms,” you can see that they are significantly segmented by design. Nature offers this advantage to the plant by allowing the appendages to easily break off and embed in the fur or skin of passing animals and perhaps drop off to gain a foothold elsewhere. They do easily embed in human skin via the same procedure; trust me!

While this would not be a prize winning picture, I appreciated the light outlining the needles on the arms and presenting the contrast of light and dark colors. I often find that there is interest and beauty all around if we take time to look.

Segmented Cholla along the Jewel of the Creek's Main Trail

A Cholla cactus found along the main trail at Jewel of the Creek riparian area, Cave Creek, AZ

Jewel of the Creek and Snakes x 2

Jeff

This past month was a busy time for us with a number of visitors to our desert home. Many of our guests came from the north or northeast to enjoy our warmer days and sample an early spring. One of our favorite places to take people who want to walk in the desert is the Jewel of the Creek Preserve near the Spur Cross Conservation Area in Cave Creek, AZ.

Our last few guests of the month were treated to the Jewel with a beautiful spring day at the creek. It was warm, but a soft breeze made it quite bearable and the addition of several canopied stops made it that much more pleasant.

As we began our descent to the creek we saw many beautiful cactus in bloom.

The yellow, near orange, Englemann’s Prickly Pear was one of the first to greet us.

Englemann's Prickly Pear

Perhaps the most spectacular blooms were on the Engelmann’s Hedgehog cactus. The twin blooms below were a portent of things to come.

Hedgehog Cactus

It appears as a near contradiction that such a delicate flower can be nestled among these sharp, spiny needles, but in the desert plants survive the animal marauders by having such defenses.

Hedgehog and spines

As the days wear on, the Hedgehog cactus begin to close shop and create an urn-like shape.

Hedgehog Cactus Closing

The Sonoran Desert has probably achieved a level of notoriety because of some of their desert denizens and usually we see many lizards, but not too many snakes. On this hike, however we were “treated” to a couple of rattlesnake sightings. The fellow below briefly posed for us as he meandered along his route. We kept our distance, but were able to get some good pictures.

Rattlesnake head

Rattlesnake head

We estimate that this snake was approximately 36-40 inches long.

TRattlesnake moving across the path

The trees were in their glory as well. In addition to the Palo Verdes, the Velvet Mesquites were strutting their frothy catkins.

Mesquite Tree Catkins

About ten minutes after seeing the first rattlesnake, we came across our second rattler. It is hard to see, but the head of the snake is inside the yellow circle with most of the body above.
Rattlesnake in the underbrush

We decided that we had enough snake encounters and began the return trip to the trail head. Along the way, this Cholla was highlighted by the arc of the sun. The dark green of the flesh juxtaposed against the lighter needles created a beautiful pattern.
Cholla Cactus Against the Sun

Some of the Prickly Pear cactus were a deeper orange color as opposed to the more traditional yellow.

At the start of the trail this lone Compass Barrel cactus (my best guess) stands watch in the middle of the path to greet those who are coming or going. Since this is a managed area cared for by the Foothills Land Trust, it will probably survive and thrive.
Compass Barrel Cactus
If you are in the Cave Creek, AZ area, and you enjoy hiking, I think a walk along the Jewel of the Creek would be a worthy and manageable adventure!