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X is For Xerophilous

This xerophilous Prickly Pear Cactus
was equipped by nature for a life in a very dry climate,
but it is thriving here in the land of relatively consistent 80% humidity.

And I bet you had no idea that the flowers on this plant are xanthochromatic.
For real. Honest.

As are these, Allamanda.

And this lovely lady of the dog bane family.
Name currently unknown.

And this.
A Hibiscus, of course.
A double Hibiscus to be more precise.
You didn’t think I’d share flowers without sneaking one in, did you?

Quilly is the pseudonym of Charlene L. Amsden, who lives on The Big Island in Hawaii. When she is not hanging out with Amoeba, she is likely teaching or sewing. Or she could be cooking, taking photographs, or even writing. But if she's not doing any of that, she's probably on Facebook or tinkering with her blog.

21 Comments

  1. I learned about the yellow while looking for ideas for X!
    great minds think alike 🙂
    My xerophytic cacti are posted!

  7. So OC helped with this post, huh? *waves to OC* Or was that the FIFTH GRADE teacher in you coming out??? Either way… ya done good! They are all Xtra lovely!

  8. I’m very impressed. Not only with these amazing pictures, but your use of X words. You did your homework! I love the first one with the blue sky and clouds blurred in the background. Very nice work. So sad we’re almost done. 🙁

  9. 80% humidity?! I would “x”pire! You sure have some amazing flowering plants over there, though.
    I hate to see your alphabet challenge coming to an end!

  10. Mar — I’ve always been a dictionary reader, but I don’t believe I have ever previously perused X.

    Dr. John — I am certain you have heard of the flower. It is the adjective I used to describe it that is new to you.

    xerophilous adj. equipped by nature for life in a very dry climate

    xanthochromatic adj. yellow

    Carletta — thank you.

    Baba — thank you.

    Karen — me, too!

    Gattina — I don’t know of any X flowers, either.

    Melli — it never occurred to me to ask my botanist for help — beyond asking him the identity of those last two flowers. He didn’t know off-hand and I didn’t ask him to stop reading his novel and look it up, but I am sure he will sooner or later.

    Robert — of course I did my homework. I’m a teacher! And I am kicking around an idea for another challenge, but I don’t know that I want to go daily. I also have a life and while this has been fun, it has also been a bit intense for extended exercise.

    Cyndi — I love the plants of Hawaii! I have tons of photos you’ve yet to see! As to the end of the challenge, check my comment to Robert.

  11. wow!
    believe me or not, i actually contemplated posting a xerophyte myself but couldn’t find an appropriate succulent around 🙂
    great stuff… what will you post for Y now you used the colour’s sophisticated name 😉

  14. Hawaii is a perfect environment for flowers and plants. My plants do very well in this AR humidity, but ours is not year round. Our winters get too cold for certain plants to survive.

  15. Jientje — Happy Anniversary!

    JD — here it never gets cold enough for certain plants. Anything that requires a cold dormant period won’t grow here. Irises, one of my favorite flowers aren’t fond of Hawaii. Nor are Gladioli.

  17. Whoof!! Those really are woofenderful piktures of the flowers. Not tasty like my X, but purty! Arf, arf, arf.

  19. Lots of pretties for X…who knew? There was a whole lotta Y in your X…he he. I’ve always had my dictionary close but it’s getting a bit of a workout the last few weeks…thanks for the brain exercises!

  20. Alice — thanks!

    Reba — your X isn’t exactly what I reach for when I want a biscuit.

    Andrew — thank you.

    Shelly — it has been fun. Thanks for playing.

  21. Pingback: Prickly Pear Cactus « Just Another Day in …. Paradise?

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