Another member of the Cactaceae family

Not a lot of color loss here, and yes, this is correctly oriented. This stem is growing “sideways.” Another “Species unknown; will have to ask.” (Possibly genus Echinocereus) This image does contain a hint as to an important function of a cactus’ “spines”…

Family page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Cactaceae&rank=family

Taken at the SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

One year ago (“Remember you are dust. …”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-02-22
Two years ago (“A not-so-subtle reminder…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-02-22