AZ Flora

Hello Readers,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  I know many of you were blasted by snow and blizzard conditions -- while we basked in sunshine and coolish temps for Arizona.  I guess I shouldn't whine about low 60's!!

As I promised, I managed to wander around the park and snap pictures of the flora -- I have to admit the fauna is much tougher as there are quick bunnies and startled quail that I cannot seem to be camera ready so I will dazzle you with the desert growing things I see.  I don't know many names but will try to label or given information that I know.

Citrus trees, lemons and limes are tricky until they are fully ripe and the color changes

Again, either grapefruit or orange, my guess grapefruit by size.  These aren't ready for another month or so but they look ready to fall.

I think this is Agave, there are many varieties so difficult to know for sure.

Barrel cactus, and again, there a few varieties, I think this may be a golden?

I've heard them called paddle cactus, but the ones on our lot are much larger!

Saguaro cactus, and this is a big one on a lot across the street

A mixture of cactus in the landscaping around a lot

Big Saguaro with lots of "limbs"

The red "growths" are the fruit of the paddle cactus -- the cactus wrens love to feed on them.

I think this is a "cholla" cactus and you have to be careful around them as they fall off the "mother" plant and the static in the air will make them catch onto you when walking the desert.

Oleander, very poisonous

Don't know, looks like a rose and really thorny

The flowering bushes are "Lantana" not sure of spelling, but spelling phonically

Many colors of blossoms, and some are variegated.

Again, a flowering bush, with mega thorns

I was told these are some type of arborvitae, the grow really fast and tall in a column -- they make a stately appearance around doorways and driveways. 

This is a Paola Verde tree, Arizona state tree -- they are GREEN! Bark, leaves, pretty much everything and are big!

It is such a change of landscaping from the midwest, you get use to seeing no leaves but everything seems pretty short except for the occasional evergreen tree.  I will try to find more but with winter coming on, there will be little color changes until spring rains.

Hope you all enjoyed the flora sharing -- we are exploring the desert more and took a walk to Inspiration Point but mostly the landscape was sand, packed dirt and rocks with low scrubby bush.

Best wishes to all,

Susan & Darrel