Applecactus Flower Closeup
by Paul Rebmann
Title
Applecactus Flower Closeup
Artist
Paul Rebmann
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
A close-up photograph of a mostly open applecactus, or fragrant prickly apple, flower. Harrisia fragrans is a Florida endemic, a species found only in Florida. This flower was photographed in the wild in the Canaveral National Seashore.
This image has been featured in the following groups:
1 Weekly - ALL Stars,
Beautiful Flowers Group (02/26/2016),
Exquisite Florals,
Flora,
Floral Photography and Art,
For the Love of Flowers (02/21/2016) &
Go Take A Hike Photography Group (08/06/2023)
Other common names for this endangered species include Indian River Prickly-apple, Caribbean Applecactus and Simpson's Applecactus.
This rare cactus was for some time only found in St. Lucie County, Florida, but it has just been recently rediscovered in Volusia County, although historically it ranged all along the east coast between these two counties. The habitat is scrubby flatwoods, xeric coastal hammocks and shell middens.
Fragrant prickly apple is an erect, sometimes branched or leaning, tree cactus 1-5 m (3-16 ft) tall, having slender cylindrical spiny stems with 10 or more ridges. Spines are grey with yellow tips, 2.5-4 cm (1 to 1-1/2 in) long, 9-13 per cluster, with one spine longer than the others. The showy, solitary flowers open at night, are 13-20 cm (5-8 in) long with a long scaly floral tube and numerous white petals, turning pink the next morning. Fruits are round, 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, green at first, turning red at maturity.
(Subject description from the artist's Wild Florida Photo website www.wildflphoto.com)
Uploaded
February 21st, 2016
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