Golden Barrel Cactus  by Clive
Clive

Golden Barrel Cactus by

These beautiful golden yellow flowers belong to the Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), otherwise known as Mother-In-Law’s Cushion.
Image taken in north central Victoria, Australia.

Camera Olympus E-30, Focal length 42.0,
Shutter speed 1/800s, f/9.0, ISO 200.

Echinocactus grusonii is a well known species of cactus native to central Mexico from San Luis Potosi to Hidalgo. Described by Heinrich Hildmann in 1891, it is popularly known as the Golden Barrel Cactus, Golden Ball or, amusingly, Mother-in-Law’s Cushion. It belongs to the small genus Echinocactus, which together with the related genus Ferocactus, are commonly referred to as barrel cacti.
Despite being one of the most popular cacti in cultivation, it is rare and critically endangered in the wild.
Growing as a large roughly spherical globe, it may eventually reach over a meter in height after many years. There may be up to 35 pronounced ribs in mature plants, though they are not evident in young plants, which may have a knobbly appearance. Note: Younger Golden Barrels do not look similar to the mature ones. The sharp spines are long, straight or slightly curved, and various shades of yellow or, occasionally, white. Small yellow flowers appear in summer around the crown of the plant, but only after twenty years or so.




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Tags

flowers, cactus, succulents, golden, olympus, plants, victoria, australia, clive

Comments

  • Catherine Hamilton-Veal  ©
    Catherine Hami...over 1 year ago

    wow!!! what a beautiful vibrant colour dear Clive.x

  • A wonderful compliment Catherine, thank you so much my friend xx

    – Clive

  • CynLynn
    CynLynnover 1 year ago

    beautiful details! excellent work!

  • Thank you so much for your great compliment Carolyn, appreciated xx

    – Clive

  • JDL15
    JDL15over 1 year ago

    nice capture Clive
    well composed

  • Greatly appreciate your fine compliment John, thank you so much my friend

    – Clive

  • greenstone
    greenstoneover 1 year ago

    amazing flowers and shot!

  • Thank you Georgie, a wonderful compliment, greatly appreciated

    – Clive

  • Ray Clarke
    Ray Clarkeover 1 year ago

  • Apreciated Ray, thank you

    – Clive

  • DonDavisUK
    DonDavisUKover 1 year ago

    A stunning capture Clive.

  • A wonderful compliment Don, thank you

    – Clive

  • Bobjarrett
    Bobjarrettover 1 year ago

    Absolutely beautiful flower and a great shot {:o}

  • So appreciate your great compliment Bob, thank you

    – Clive

  • Michael John
    Michael Johnover 1 year ago

    An unusual flower. Great capture Clive.

  • Thank you Michael, they are from central Mexico and are rare and critically endangered in the wild, appreciate your great compliment

    – Clive

  • Spadecaller
    Spadecallerover 1 year ago

    Outstanding and stunning image.

  • Appreciate your wonderful compliment Mathew, thank you

    – Clive

  • Trish Meyer
    Trish Meyerover 1 year ago

    Love the golden glow in this capture Clive!

  • Thanking you so very much Trish, a wonderful compliment my friend xx

    – Clive