Tuesday, July 1, 2008

X is for Xerophyte

Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday letter prompt is X.

Looking into the heart of a prickly pear (cactus) blossom

The dictionary defination of xerophyte is A plant that grows in and is adapted to a an environment deficient in moisture. The most common ones are cacti and succulents. The cacti in the photos are the first I have ever seen in bloom. So, naturally, my camera leapt into my hand when I spotted them last month.

The garden in my photos is that of conscientious neighbors who realize that California is thirsty, with resevoirs very low. We are currently under a water conservation alert. I have never seen the neighbors give ANY water to this garden.

Here are other views of the neighbors' garden.


prickly pear blossoms mixed with varieties of ice plant (a succulent).

Some of the little flowers are those that thrive on sand dunes.

I don't water either, but my garden has not been planned with that in mind, with the result that we are losing many of our plants that can't live without summer water. The plus side of that is that those that survive thrive, such as our aggressive pink geraniums that ask only that they occasionally be cut back to a few inches above the ground.

My xerophytic geraniums

26 comments:

esnorway said...

nice x and good pics to

Reader Wil said...

I love these flowers and I have also pink geraniums. As I am often away for a long time I have plants in my yard that don't need a lot of care.You have a nice blog! Thanks for visit!

Unknown said...

Lovely photos and great choice for the letter X!

Gemma Wiseman said...

What a beautiful range of pics and enjoyed your comments too!

Anonymous said...

Oh how beautiful these flowers are! An X-cellent choice for "X" letter and very nice photos! I wish you a pleasant Wednesday!

EG CameraGirl said...

X-cellent post.
Yes, even in a country like Canada with LOTS of water we are learning to conserve it. So far this year we don't have a water ban...but we do have water restrictions

david mcmahon said...

Lovely shots. I'm a big fan of geraniums too.

We're finally getting rain here!

Michele said...

Very pretty... beautiful and I'm glad to have seen these!

CaBaCuRl said...

I love your pink xerophytic geraniums...gorgeous colour. We all seem to be learning a lot on ABC Wed. The challenge of finding an X word has brought out the best in everyone!

Daniel Chérouvrier said...

I'll become a xerophyte fan !
Thanks for visiting.

Bear Naked said...

I am certainly leaening a lot about words that start with the letter X today.
Your choice is eXcellent.
Thank you for visiting my blog.

And I must complement you on your blog.
I will come back to visit.

mrsnesbitt said...

Beautiful, I would have expected nothing less from the fascinating world of nature.

Dragonstar said...

Obviously great (draconic) minds think alike! Your neighbours have a lovely colourful garden - my poor cacti would drown if I put them outside. I love the colour of your geraniums.

Miss_Yves said...

E-x-cellent choice!
Beautiful pictures !The first one is gorgeous !
miss Yves

me ann my camera said...

A great X choice. Lovely photos.
ann

Texas Travelers said...

It's Wednesday....
You've made a play.
"X" marks the spot,
And I like yours a lot,
It's really fine....
Glad you visited mine,

Troy (author of bad verse)
Martha (better half)

nonizamboni said...

Great X's, Phyllis! Your photos of prickly pear blooms made me homesick for my hometown on the in Southeast Idaho.
Lovely flowers around your place too.
xxx

Profile Not Available said...

Clever, educational and a beautiful photo! Nicely done!

Mental P Mama said...

A wonderful X post! Beautiful flowers...

Cath said...

X- cellent X!!

Very original and now I know a new word.
Thanks for your visit to my blog.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty pictures and a nice X post.

Barbara said...

Beautiful xerophytes, a new word for me. Thanks for visiting my blog, nice to 'meet' you.

Diana S said...

beautiful flowers ! I never heard of that X word before. this is quite a learning experience.

Nydia said...

Beautiful X post, and beautiful gardens! Wish I had a good hand for flowers!
Kisses from Nydia, Brazil.

Leslie: said...

Very nice post and I love the photos! I know I'm late, but you're welcome to pop over to see my late post.

Dina said...

Xerophyte! I love to learn big words. Thanks for this one.
In Israel we will soon have to stop watering the gardens too; the Sea of Galilee is at a critically low level. Here we eat the sabra fruit of the prickly pears you show. They grow wild.