I just took a trip out to the Chiricahua National Monument in the southeastern corner of Arizona. Mostly I was there to hike around in the strange rock formations. There were some nice plants there too, so I thought I would share some photos.
It rises up from grasslands through dry, rocky slopes and wooded canyons, to areas of weirdly eroded rhyolite.
There were Yucca baccata in some of the most exposed areas.
These large black and orange leaf-footed bugs were often gathered on the huge yucca fruits, drinking the sap I assume.
In the canyon bottoms and more wooded areas Yucca madrensis was more common.
The Y. baccata were smaller than I have seen elsewhere, but the Y. madrensis were often very large. that is a 44" (112cm) hiking pole for scale.
Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Re: Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Part 2
The most common agave was A. palmeri.
With Dasylirion wheeleri.
A. palmeri, Y madrensis, and D. wheeleri all together.
In the highest elevation wooded areas Agave parryi made an appearance.
There were Opuntia engelmannii. At least I think that's what they are. I am terrible at identifying Opuntias.
And one nice O. macrocentra. That one I can recognize.
The most common agave was A. palmeri.
With Dasylirion wheeleri.
A. palmeri, Y madrensis, and D. wheeleri all together.
In the highest elevation wooded areas Agave parryi made an appearance.
There were Opuntia engelmannii. At least I think that's what they are. I am terrible at identifying Opuntias.
And one nice O. macrocentra. That one I can recognize.
Re: Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Part 3
For hedgehogs, there were lots of Echinocereus arizonicus nigrihorridispinus claret cups.
They showed a lot of variation in width and height of the stems, and color of spines. Some really had the 'horrible black spines' they were named for.
Others not so much.
There were also some E. rigidismus.
Including this impressive family group.
Ball-point pen for scale.
For hedgehogs, there were lots of Echinocereus arizonicus nigrihorridispinus claret cups.
They showed a lot of variation in width and height of the stems, and color of spines. Some really had the 'horrible black spines' they were named for.
Others not so much.
There were also some E. rigidismus.
Including this impressive family group.
Ball-point pen for scale.
Re: Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Part 4
I never did see any Mammillaria wrightii wilcoxii or Mammillaria heyderi bullingtoniana which grow in this area and I was watching for. But the scenery and geology did not disappoint!
Big Balancing Rock
Punch and Judy
Cochise Head Mountain
Altogether another fun outing!
I never did see any Mammillaria wrightii wilcoxii or Mammillaria heyderi bullingtoniana which grow in this area and I was watching for. But the scenery and geology did not disappoint!
Big Balancing Rock
Punch and Judy
Cochise Head Mountain
Altogether another fun outing!
Re: Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Hello Kenizona,
thank you for posting those nice images of the Arizona cactus and succulent world. I also enjoyed looking at the photos of the geological formations. That big balancing rock is quite impressive. If I were walking near it, I would most likely tread lightly and hardly breathe.
Of the plants I especially liked the Agave parryi and of course the Echinocereus arizonicus-nigrihorridispinus claret cup cactus with the long, dark spines. What color does that cactus blossom have? Does the flower also last for about one week and stay open day and night as the claret cup that grows in my area (E. coccineus)?
Harald
thank you for posting those nice images of the Arizona cactus and succulent world. I also enjoyed looking at the photos of the geological formations. That big balancing rock is quite impressive. If I were walking near it, I would most likely tread lightly and hardly breathe.
Of the plants I especially liked the Agave parryi and of course the Echinocereus arizonicus-nigrihorridispinus claret cup cactus with the long, dark spines. What color does that cactus blossom have? Does the flower also last for about one week and stay open day and night as the claret cup that grows in my area (E. coccineus)?
Harald
Re: Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
Hello Harald,
I like those Agave parryi a lot also. The are sometimes planted in landscaping around Tucson. When they bloom, the red flower buds giving way to bright yellow flowers can be a very impressive sight.
The Echinocereus arizonicus nigrihorridispinus has a bright red to orange-red flower, much like other claret cups. I don't know how long they last, but I would expect it to be similar to E. coccineus. In fact, it is sometimes classified as E. coccineus matudae. As I understand it, the main reason for separating them is that E. arizonicus is diploid (two sets of chromosomes), while E. coccineus is tetraploid (four sets of chromosomes). I am no expert on these, and am just trying to learn how to recognize the different forms, and figure out what is the best name to call them!
Ken
I like those Agave parryi a lot also. The are sometimes planted in landscaping around Tucson. When they bloom, the red flower buds giving way to bright yellow flowers can be a very impressive sight.
The Echinocereus arizonicus nigrihorridispinus has a bright red to orange-red flower, much like other claret cups. I don't know how long they last, but I would expect it to be similar to E. coccineus. In fact, it is sometimes classified as E. coccineus matudae. As I understand it, the main reason for separating them is that E. arizonicus is diploid (two sets of chromosomes), while E. coccineus is tetraploid (four sets of chromosomes). I am no expert on these, and am just trying to learn how to recognize the different forms, and figure out what is the best name to call them!
Ken
Re: Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
I went there a couple of years ago when I was traveling from Dallas to Phoenix. There was snow all over the ground then, so I think it's safe to assume all the pictured plants are frost-hardy to some degree.
It's an interesting spot, you can't really see the rocks until you get into the park.
It's an interesting spot, you can't really see the rocks until you get into the park.
Disclaimer: I'm in sunny Arizona, so any advice I give may not apply in your circumstances.
Tim
Tim