This past April I went out to Anza Borrego State Park, just east of San Diego, and saw several Cacti in bloom! The goal of the trip was to view the super bloom of wildflowers. Cactus blooms had not crossed my mind and felt like a pleasant surprise.
On the South side of the park near Highway 78, there is a campground called Tamarisk Grove Campground. Across the street from the campground, is a small hiking loop with Cacti on display. We actually missed that loop and journeyed off on a trail where we could eventually see it, but we dis see lots of Cacti and some wildflowers too!
Ocotillo in the cactus loop.This Bevertail Cactus, opuntia basilaris, was just about to burst open it’s pink flowers. The blue-green flat pads were still striking and full with that winters rainfall.Strawberry Cactus, mammillaria dioica, in bloom. I think that this plant may be the original inspiration for the festival flower crown.The Strawberry Cactus is also called the Fish Hook Cactus. Here are a cluster of cacti just starting to bloom.Barrel Cactus have these beautiful and delicate yellow flowersdwarf poppies in Anza BorregoTeddybear Cholla, cylindropu, surrounded by dwarf poppies.The Hedgehog Cactus were just about to bloom. Their blooms are bright magenta and I bet they are stunning.I love how the long pink spines wrap around the yellow flowers of the Barrel Cactus.
