Barbed Invitation

Another strange little cactus has decided to flower ... I've Googled this and it looks as if it's a Green Flowered Hedgehog Cactus.

First of all little round bumps appear, then under the bumps grow stalks. The bumps grow and expand and the cactus looks as if it has arms with clenched fists appearing. Then the fists open, and the pollen is visible. I suppose it has evolved in this way to avoid impaling its potential pollinators on some very nasty spikes ... isn't nature incredible!

[Pyrrhula]

A great collage of those two nice cactus pic.`s

[Peter H]

Very interesting!

[Brennie B]

nice ,. my daughter would love this. she grows some cactus

[Ulrika]

how unusual... love it

[sally agnew]

I love cactus flowers, this is so pretty and unusual :)

[KWind]

Excellent images.

[Catherine Otley]

Very striking photos. prefer the one on the left, though.

[Dawn]

Cool plant and image

[Shy Abel]

Great close up!

[Connie Little]

Wonderful images and explanations. I like your perspective for the first image. Brilliant shot.

[Jorlam]

lovely diptych, like the framing.. the cactus looks to be quite charming.. love the narrative, thank you..

[FBailey]

@pyrrhula @peadar @brennieb @tibles @hermann @kwind @redandwhite @dawnee @shylaine3304 @littleconnie @jorlam Thanks very much for your interest, you are all very kind:)

[Merrelyn]

Gotta love Mother Nature and all of her wonders :)

[FBailey]

@merrelyn Thank you, isn't it something else?

[Jessika Panteleios]

How cool! Fantastic images and collage.

[Sue]

I am not a fan of cacti, but admit they are interesting and especially good for a photography project

[FBailey]

@jessikapanteleios @suesouthwood Thanks very much:)

[Lisa Pouncy]

Nature is such an amazing thing isn't it. Lovely collage xx