and this time it's not political. Yet.
The area about two hours north of me is home to the largest Saguaro Cacti range in the country.
These giant plants can live for upwards of 150 years and grow to be forty feet tall.
Normally, each year they develop a couple of bumps and when the dry season comes, the bumps flower and one or two will begin to develop into arms.
This year, for the first time in memory, the trunks of many cacti are blossoming. Where a typical cactus might have six to eight flowers, this year many have dozens, if not hundreds. It's a phenomenon that no one can recall. Last year's monsoon was a non-event as the rains never came so most people think it is related to that but Arizona has had drier years.
More weirdness in Arizona...
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- Video Poker Master
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- Video Poker Master
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I read about this recently.
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Regarding Saguaros, according to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, "You find this cactus in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico. At the northern portion of their range they are more plentiful on the warmer south facing slopes. A few stray plants can also be found in southeast California." There are plenty in full bloom and around Phoenix.
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- Video Poker Master
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They seem to start around Tuscon and go a bit north of Phoenix There are some great examples on the Carefree Highway
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Wow. Very interesting.
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