Vegetation

Carpobrotus edulis

California, Flowers, Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Seasons

That is the Latin name for the oceanside vegetation called Ice Plant. Ice Plant is an invasive succulent that was imported from South Africa to California during the early 1900s for coastal erosion management.

Ice Plant turns red and orange in fall and winter.

The plant grows in a thick and dense mat-like way. Its thick succulent stems grow horizontally and curve upwards. Flowers generally appear in late winter to spring and can be yellow, pink, and purple. The ice plant’s fruit appears once the flower dies back and is edible. The fruit is yellow and fleshy when ripe and resembles a fig or spinning top.

You want Wildflowers?

Arizona, Flowers, Photography, Seasons

It’s summer and the wildflowers are abundant at Kaibab National Forest in Northern Arizona

What Do High-Color, Closeups, Raindrops and Abstractness Have In Common

Desert Southwest, Flowers, National Parks, Seasons, Utah, Weather

They are the by-products of a rainy day at the 13th Annual Wildflower Festival at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Southern Utah.

Wide view of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Flowers are on the plateau.

Desert Flora at Sunset

Desert Southwest, Flowers, Utah

While mountain biking this week near Gooseberry Mesa in Southern Utah, I captured some pics over a few evenings of the changing colors of the flora and the sunsets.

Cedar Breaks Flora

Desert Southwest, Flowers, National Parks, Seasons, Utah

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a geologic marvel but in July, visitors come for the floral display. At over 10,000 feet in elevation, the seasons arrive later than sooner.

Silver Lupine and Indian Paintbrush bloom at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Southern Utah

Columbine bloom at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Southern Utah

Little sunflowers bloom at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Southern Utah

Zion Cacti

Desert Southwest, Flowers, National Parks, Utah, Zion

Images from blooming Prickly Pear Cactus and the sticky Cholla Cactus

Cholla Cactus at Zion National Park, Utah. Also known as Teddy Bear Cactus because it’s so cuddly? Not!

Blooming California Coast

California, Flowers, Macro Photography

Although California is suffering from a severe drought, the immediate Pacific coastline has enough moisture to allow the vegetation to produce blooming flowers. It is springtime.

Flora at Zion NP

Desert Southwest, National Parks, Utah, Zion

Spring has sprung in Zion as it was 78F today. The cactus here usually flower starting in May. Here’s some images of other vegetation prominent in the park. Look for future posts detailing the many species of flora here in the park. There are more than 900 varieties of plants here mainly due to its vast elevation changes.

Prickly Pear Cactus-Zion NP — Prickly Pear Cactus just prior to it sprouting its prickly spines where you see the dots.

Zion Sagebrush — Sagebrush and rabbitbrush

Zion Pinyon Pine — Pinyon Pine which will produce edible nuts.

Zion Kolob Flora — Yucca plants in the foreground and Manzanita at middle right

Zion Dead Manzanita — Dead Manzanita whose bark is usually red

Tag: Vegetation

Carpobrotus edulis

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You want Wildflowers?

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What Do High-Color, Closeups, Raindrops and Abstractness Have In Common

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Desert Flora at Sunset

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Cedar Breaks Flora

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Zion Cacti

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Blooming California Coast

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Flora at Zion NP

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