Wednesday, March 11, 2009

This Reminds Me of ??

Cleistocactus strausii

There is something about the flowers of this Silver Torch cactus that remind me of something else. Maybe a bird, or chicken, or a tragic disease? I can't quite pinpoint it.


Cleistocactus blooms are just as you see them. They don't open much more than shown in the photo. The ends open up a bit, and then after a day or so, the ends shrivel. The name, Cleistocactus, is Greek for 'closed cactus', referring to the blooms.

16 comments:

beckie said...

Aiyana, you're right they do remind me of something. I think it could be the wadlle(?) on a chicken. What ever, thet are very unusual and interesting. Looks like the sun was shining in all it's glory!

Lythrum said...

At first glance I thought of a chicken too. :) Very interesting plant!

Claude said...

I can't quite pinpoint it either... but then I don't grow this species... I do grow cleistocactus winteri, but it seems to be the exception to the rule, producing larger, open blooms... it's producing buds right now, I'll have to make sure I get some pics when they open.

Rock rose said...

Does anything visit them to pollinate? I have afeeling we are going to be seeing hundreds of cactus blooms from your cactus over the upcoming weeks.

Aiyana said...

Lancashire Rose,
I've read that Cleistocactus with flowers of this type pollinate themselves; other sources say hummingbirds. I've never seen hummingbirds around the flowers, so I'd guess self-pollination for this species.
Aiyana

Julie said...

How interesting...

Jocelyn H. Chilvers said...

A cartoon/sci-fi character---a "scary monster" who is really shy and has a heart of gold!

Phoenix C. said...

It looks like an exotic bird of some kind to me. What an amazing cactus!

vbdb said...

I vote for bird, too. Think it's the downturned seagull bill shaped flowers.

kate smudges said...

When I first saw this cactus, I thought of Big Bird from Sesame Street. I love the colour of the blooms. interesting that the flowers don't open much.

Gin said...

To me it either looks like a strange sea creature, an anemone maybe or a Star Wars space creature.

Very cute!

Anonymous said...

So cool!

Rosemary said...

Aiyana these look like bird tail feathers to me. So interesting .

verobirdie said...

I'd say it is a cousin of the Road Runner. Very intersting, anyway

Anonymous said...

A tragic disease, lol.

Carla said...

interesting! Reminds me of a Sesame Street monster:)