Beauty Finds a Way to Bloom
Species: Clover’s Cactus (Sclerocactus cloverae)
Habitat: Clay hills, mesas, washes, desert grasslands and pinyon-juniper woodlands but only in Nacimiento Formation soils in about 100 mile strip of northwestern New Mexico.
Location: Nageezi, New Mexico
Public Land: Lybrook Badlands, Bureau of Land Management
Description: In the heat of the day, Clover’s cactus flowers burst open beneath the badland sun—sudden, radiant blooms rising from thorn and stone. Their petals unfurl in magenta like flames flickering against the arid earth. These blossoms are brief, possibly lasting only a single day, but in that fleeting time they summon bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators with the promise of nectar. Each opening is a bold celebration of survival, a reminder that even in the harshest places, beauty finds a way to bloom.
Seventy million years ago, this area that the rare and endangered Clover’s Cactus inhabits was covered by a shallow sea and coastal swamps. What remains can be seen in the black layers of coal formed by plants and animals that died, sank into the mud, and turned to rock. As the ancient plants, dinosaurs, and other animals died and sank into mud, they hardened to rock and became oil and natural gas. Today, the “play,” as the oil companies call it, for these fossil fuels is on full-throttle across the Greater Chaco area. The area is highly prone to erosion and destruction from disturbance. Much of the cactus’ habitat is criss-crossed by roads and oil pads. Still this cactus survives, but it could use more care and support from us humans. Plants keep soil in place so preserving this cactus’ habitat benefits more than just plants.
Read my article on this cactus and habitat that I wrote and photographed in 2020 for New Mexico Magazine.
Fine art print on acid free, 100% cotton, bright or warm white, textured surface, archival quality paper. For more about papers I use click here.
Species: Clover’s Cactus (Sclerocactus cloverae)
Habitat: Clay hills, mesas, washes, desert grasslands and pinyon-juniper woodlands but only in Nacimiento Formation soils in about 100 mile strip of northwestern New Mexico.
Location: Nageezi, New Mexico
Public Land: Lybrook Badlands, Bureau of Land Management
Description: In the heat of the day, Clover’s cactus flowers burst open beneath the badland sun—sudden, radiant blooms rising from thorn and stone. Their petals unfurl in magenta like flames flickering against the arid earth. These blossoms are brief, possibly lasting only a single day, but in that fleeting time they summon bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators with the promise of nectar. Each opening is a bold celebration of survival, a reminder that even in the harshest places, beauty finds a way to bloom.
Seventy million years ago, this area that the rare and endangered Clover’s Cactus inhabits was covered by a shallow sea and coastal swamps. What remains can be seen in the black layers of coal formed by plants and animals that died, sank into the mud, and turned to rock. As the ancient plants, dinosaurs, and other animals died and sank into mud, they hardened to rock and became oil and natural gas. Today, the “play,” as the oil companies call it, for these fossil fuels is on full-throttle across the Greater Chaco area. The area is highly prone to erosion and destruction from disturbance. Much of the cactus’ habitat is criss-crossed by roads and oil pads. Still this cactus survives, but it could use more care and support from us humans. Plants keep soil in place so preserving this cactus’ habitat benefits more than just plants.
Read my article on this cactus and habitat that I wrote and photographed in 2020 for New Mexico Magazine.
Fine art print on acid free, 100% cotton, bright or warm white, textured surface, archival quality paper. For more about papers I use click here.
Species: Clover’s Cactus (Sclerocactus cloverae)
Habitat: Clay hills, mesas, washes, desert grasslands and pinyon-juniper woodlands but only in Nacimiento Formation soils in about 100 mile strip of northwestern New Mexico.
Location: Nageezi, New Mexico
Public Land: Lybrook Badlands, Bureau of Land Management
Description: In the heat of the day, Clover’s cactus flowers burst open beneath the badland sun—sudden, radiant blooms rising from thorn and stone. Their petals unfurl in magenta like flames flickering against the arid earth. These blossoms are brief, possibly lasting only a single day, but in that fleeting time they summon bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators with the promise of nectar. Each opening is a bold celebration of survival, a reminder that even in the harshest places, beauty finds a way to bloom.
Seventy million years ago, this area that the rare and endangered Clover’s Cactus inhabits was covered by a shallow sea and coastal swamps. What remains can be seen in the black layers of coal formed by plants and animals that died, sank into the mud, and turned to rock. As the ancient plants, dinosaurs, and other animals died and sank into mud, they hardened to rock and became oil and natural gas. Today, the “play,” as the oil companies call it, for these fossil fuels is on full-throttle across the Greater Chaco area. The area is highly prone to erosion and destruction from disturbance. Much of the cactus’ habitat is criss-crossed by roads and oil pads. Still this cactus survives, but it could use more care and support from us humans. Plants keep soil in place so preserving this cactus’ habitat benefits more than just plants.
Read my article on this cactus and habitat that I wrote and photographed in 2020 for New Mexico Magazine.
Fine art print on acid free, 100% cotton, bright or warm white, textured surface, archival quality paper. For more about papers I use click here.