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Texas Cacti

22 galleries

Cacti produce some of the brightest and boldest flowers in nature, part of the plant's effort to draw pollinator's attention in often dry and remote environments. Here are 20 galleries with my favorite cacti.

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  • Barrel Cactus
    Barrel Cactus
    11 images
    Arizona Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus wislizeni This dramatic species only occurs naturally in Texas along the foothills of Mt. Franklin in El Paso, Texas. Someday, I'll catch them in blooming in late summer.
  • Big-Needle Pincushion Cactus
    Big-Needle Pincushion Cactus
    12 images
    Big-needle Pincushion Cactus, Coryphantha macromeris The Big-Needle Pincushion Cactus brings forth brilliant magenta blooms after the August-September rains. These examples were found in the sandy soils near the Castolon Historic District in Big Bend National Park.
  • Cholla Cactus
    Cholla Cactus
    44 images
    Cholla cactus form many exotic shapes, including these examples of the Tree Cholla, Clumped Dog Cholla and the Christmas Cholla.
  • Claret Cup Cactus
    Claret Cup Cactus
    43 images
    Claret Cup Cactus, Echinocereus occineus Claret Cup Cactus are among the most beautiful in the desert, often forming large clumps with bright red flowers that last several days.
  • Cob Cactus
    Cob Cactus
    8 images
    Cob Cactus, Coryphantha tuberculosa The Cob Cactus is a small species, often hidden quietly among rocks. It's delicate flowers call attention to pollinators in season.
  • Devil's Head Cactus
    Devil's Head Cactus
    8 images
    Devil's Head Cactus, Echinocactus horizonthalonius This cactus lives low to the ground and features fearsome defensive spines.
  • Dog Cholla Cactus
    Dog Cholla Cactus
    17 images
    Clump Dog Cholla, Corynopuntia aggeria, grows into sprawling low mats in West Texas areas such as Big Bend National Park, Texas. It typically flowers in the spring.
  • Eagle Claw Cactus
    Eagle Claw Cactus
    8 images
    Eagle-claw Cactus Sclerocactus uncinatus var. wrightii Delicate reddish brown flowers identify the Eagle-claw Cactus.
  • Giant Fishhook Cactus
    Giant Fishhook Cactus
    10 images
    Giant Fishhook Cactus, Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. hamatacanthus The Giant Fishhook Cactus produces dramatic blooms in September after the late summer rains in Big Bend National Park. Here are ten photos of the Giant Fishhook Cactus.
  • Glory of Texas Cactus
    Glory of Texas Cactus
    9 images
    Glory of Texas Cactus, Thelocactus bicolor This beauty lives among the desert rocks until it calls out with bright magenta blooms.
  • Horse Crippler Cactus
    Horse Crippler Cactus
    5 images
    Echinocactus texensis, Horse-Crippler Cactus This cactus lays close to the ground with fearsome spines. Horses and hikers alike often don't see it when it's not in bloom or covered with bright fruits.
  • Lace Cactus
    Lace Cactus
    48 images
    Lace Cactus, Echinocereus reichenbachii This tiny cactus is often no bigger than your fist, yet produces stunning magenta flowers that last just a day. It's one of my favorites!
  • Living Rock Cactus
    Living Rock Cactus
    26 images
    Living Rock Cactus, Ariocarpus fissuratus The Living Rock has a very quiet existence, often reaching 50 years at maturity. The bulk of the cactus is underground in it's well protected root - and in times of drought, it will even pull the top underground to conserve water. I was lucky to find them blooming along the Old Ore Road in October.
  • Nipple Cactus
    Nipple Cactus
    2 images
    Nipple Cactus, Mammillaria meiacantha Here's another quiet cactus, living close to ground and often unnoticed. It's delicate blooms call attention. Here are photos of the Nipple Cactus in bloom at Big Bend Ranch State Park.
  • Pott's Mammillaria Cactus
    Pott's Mammillaria Cactus
    8 images
    Pott's Mammillaria, Mammillaria pottsii Delicate reddish brown flowers protrude from the spine covered Pott's Mammillaria .
  • Prickly Pear Cactus
    Prickly Pear Cactus
    100 images
    Prickly Pear, Opuntia, sp. Prickly Pear are widely spread in Texas, producing beautiful spring flowers. Some species are easy to identify, but many hybridize making exact taxonomy difficult.
  • Rainbow Cactus
    Rainbow Cactus
    18 images
    Texas Rainbow Cactus, Echinocereus dasyacanthus Yellow flowers call attention to the Rainbow Cactus, but the name actually calls attention to the colored bands found on some specimens.
  • Rusty Hedgehog Cactus
    Rusty Hedgehog Cactus
    6 images
    Rusty Hedgehog Cactus, Echinocereus russanthus Reddish brown flowers bring pollinators to this small cactus found in the Big Bend area.
  • Small-flowered Hedgehog
    Small-flowered Hedgehog
    3 images
    These Small-flowered Hedgehog cactus were found at the Davis Mountains State Park in April.
  • Strawberry Cactus
    Strawberry Cactus
    66 images
    Strawberry Cactus, Echinocereus enneacantus Colorful clumps of dramatic blooms are true delight in the west Texas desert. these are favorites wherever they are found!
  • Texas Cone Cactus
    Texas Cone Cactus
    2 images
    Texas Cone Cactus, Neolloydia conoidea Found along the trails of Big Bend Ranch State Park, this small cactus produces a really bright flower.
  • Western States Cactus
    Western States Cactus
    15 images
    Cactus bloom widely throughout the Southwest and I've only scratched the surface. Here are some sample cactus blooms from Colorado and Utah.