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.




flowers, cactus, succulents, golden, olympus, plants, victoria, australia, clive
Comments
wow!!! what a beautiful vibrant colour dear Clive.x
A wonderful compliment Catherine, thank you so much my friend xx
– Clive
beautiful details! excellent work!
Thank you so much for your great compliment Carolyn, appreciated xx
– Clive
nice capture Clive
well composed
Greatly appreciate your fine compliment John, thank you so much my friend
– Clive
amazing flowers and shot!
Thank you Georgie, a wonderful compliment, greatly appreciated
– Clive
Apreciated Ray, thank you
– Clive
A stunning capture Clive.
A wonderful compliment Don, thank you
– Clive
Absolutely beautiful flower and a great shot {:o}
So appreciate your great compliment Bob, thank you
– Clive
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
Outstanding and stunning image.
Appreciate your wonderful compliment Mathew, thank you
– Clive
Love the golden glow in this capture Clive!
Thanking you so very much Trish, a wonderful compliment my friend xx
– Clive