When there’s a Chihuly exhibit on at the Desert Botanical Garden, it’s easy to forget that his creations are just visitors and when they leave, the natives will still be there, patiently waiting for their recognition. If they don’t get their moment in the sun, well, let’s just say they can be a bit prickly!
The name “Creeping Devil” should give you some idea of how insidious this type of cactus is. You might say you’re looking at a plethora of cacti. Or would you be seeing a lot of cactuses? I decided to look it up online and found that either is acceptable. More than a few sources mentioned that “cacti” is the Latin plural while “cactuses” is English. See? You now know a little Latin.
This one reminds me of a plant version of a boa constrictor.
And then we have the cactus with the unusual shapes. Of maybe it’s more than one cactus. Hard to tell from this shot. But that’s it for this addition of the Cactus Chronicles. I’m sure you’ll be seeing more. In the meantime, enjoy the weekend. And since I was plunging into the morass of English/Latin/forms/etc., I began to wonder where “meantime” came from. It’s not, as you might think, related to Greenwich mean time but, long explanation short, comes from “mean” (in the middle or in a middle place) and of course “time.” Hence a time between now and later. 🙂 Aren’t we just learned as all get-out today (and no, we’re not exploring “all get-out.”) Sounds as if it should be related to the current “Shut the door!” (not meant in the literal sense.) But if you shut the door, you can’t all get out, so… 🙂
That’s definitely a plethora of cacti, Janet!
Indeed and “plethora” is such a good word.
Fabulous cacti….that’s the plural I have always used
I have too but was curious as to the “official” stance.
😊😊
Indeed. Cacti.
😉. I guess you could always say “a group of cactus” or “more than one cacti” and avoid the problem although.
janet
janet
Had latin in high school and have always said cacti when there was more than one – didn’t know some of the english sometimes called them that. Maybe related to excessive tea drinking. 😀 😀 😀
Ha! I drink lots of tea and have always said “cacti.”
It is cactus. After a total of living in Arizona 23 years of my life at 4 separate times – sorry it is cactus. Some are very wicked as I can attest to from experience. Hmm Latin in Arizona. I am not sure those Ar-A-Zona folks are real hep on Latin. Ha Ha Love your descriptions and your keen sense of humor. Enjoyed your post. Wish I was there to see a state I love.
I looked it up so it’s not just the opinion of people in Arizona. But it doesn’t really matter, as people will know what you mean. 😉
Definitely interesting, but I think I’ll leave it right where it is.
Good idea but you can admire from afar. 😉
They do look nice all together like that, Janet.
They do, don’t they? But more dangerous than just one!
Oh, ouch! Yes!
I prefer cacti. I also use ‘Jacki’ to refer to a group of people acting like jackasses, but I’m guessing that is not supported by facts.
Probably not supported but I like it. 😊. I may have to use it myself when appropriate.
Good ones, Janet. I’m sure there are many more varieties of cacti than most of us imagine – especially we in nondesert places. Have a good weekend.
You’d be right about that, Frank. There are lots of them!
That’s what *meantime* means! I love wordy details– or would it be details about words? Cool photos, not too prickly.
I love words too, Ally. I can’t remember if I recommended this book to you before but because you like words, you’ll love “Anguished English” by Richard Lederer. He’s written lots of other word books as well, but this one has brought me to tears of laughter many a time.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll look for it. Sounds like my kind of book.
You’ll love it.
We have a few houses in our neighborhood that have cacti in the yard and I am amazed at all the different types. I’ve been thinking of getting some for our front yard too since I hate to garden and they seem like they don’t need much work.
They don’t. The biggest thing is to not over-water them.
That’s a lot of cacti!
That is. The entire Botanical Garden is full of cacti of various kinds and other desert plants as well.
Amazing plants no matter they’re called.
They definitely are, JT.
I like cacti. I pretty much managed to kill the little ones I had under the grow-lights. The last picture, the odd-shaped ones, are best avoided….touching them will attach numerous prickly itchy stickers in the fingers.
And even the tiniest stickers hurt!
yes, talk about torture…those little stickers just dug in and held on. yikes!
The various shapes and sizes that cactusses come in really is wonderful!
It’s amazing but as I always say, God does good work. 😁. You see it there too.
Absolutely!
Wonderful photos, and even more wonderful sense of humor 🙂 A joy to read this Saturday morning (or late morning may be more accurate…).
Thanks so much, Dalo. I appreciate the visit and the comment and I’m glad you enjoyed my wonky sense of humor. 🙂
janet
The cacti come in so many shapes and sizes!
They do. It’s so interesting.
I agree👍
I say cacti. The draping its arm or tentacle over the other one made me smile. This is a lovely study of different cacti, Janet.
Thanks, Deborah. I’m not sure if that’s a hug or an attempted takeover, though. 🙂
🤣
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed our visits to the Desert Botanical Garden. It’s one of the first places we take our guests who are new to Arizona’s most interesting, yet thorny plants. 🙂
It’s a wonderful place, that’s for sure, especially with the Chihuly installation there.
janet
LOL! I prefer either cacti or cactus plants. I enjoyed these photos. 🌞
Whatever you like to call them, I happy you liked the photos of them. “Cactus plants” is a good way to avoid the entire issue. 🙂
LOL! You kept me giggling until the out-loud-laugh at the end. Thanks!
My pleasure, Marian. Thanks for the comment and sticking it through to the end. 🙂
[…] You say cactuses, I say cacti. […]
What a bunch of unique plants! Thank you for sharing 😁
Glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for the visit and comment, Josh.
janet
[…] You say cactuses, I say cacti. […]
Thank you, Janet, for these fab shots of very interesting, even lovely, CACTI!
There are lots of lovely cacti…just give them their space!