Early and Late

Photos by Ned Harris 7/26/2015

One of the first Arizona Barrel Cacti (Ferocactus wislizenii) we saw blooming in the canyon.

And some of the final flowers on a Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea).

For flowers pollinated by animals (insects, birds), it can be a good strategy for getting your genes into the next generation to be among the few early- or late-bloomers. (Assuming your pollinators are already - or still - around, that is.) When nothing much is blooming, you can be the only game in town, and that can pretty much guarantee a visit from a thirsty flying critter.