This canyon was amazing. This is supposedly where the holotype Hechtia argentea was collected for Kew gardens (the one that won best in show some time in the mid-1800s that is still alive--but no pups that I know of). There was a ton of research that went into finding this, so you will have to wait until I get it published before I spill the beans on the location!
There have been a ton of 'argenteas' floating around that aren't the brilliant white/silvery coloring. And now after seeing this colony/canyon I might have to concede that they are argentea. The plants ranged from green to red to silver/white and everything in between. The spines seemed to range from fairly large and hooked to small and somewhat straight (and everything in between of course). Quite a puzzle. Makes me wonder if there is/are multiple species that have been creating a genetic stew in this canyon?!? Lots of studying needs to be done on this population.
I'll start with some territorial shots and then work into the plants....
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and look at all of the Tillandsia grandis growing with the hechtias!!!
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...including the purple form!
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Look at the huge 'trunk' on this one. Any guesses at how old it is or how long it takes a hechtia to grow a trunk????
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And look at the variability of the color in this little cluster of plants (along with the agaves, cacti, fouquierias, etc)
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Male flower of the plant above:
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There are a couple of more pictures in that gallery, and I have a ton more of that canyon. WOW was it unbelievable. Combine the grand canyon, the rocky mountains, and the Appalachians and throw in a ton of cool plants.
-andy
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
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