My aim for this gallery is to feature just a few pictures of conservatory grown desert plants that are selected for their visual appeal rather than their ability to illustrate what each species is like. It is now sorted by inverse order of upload to keep the newest additions at the front of the gallery. Some shots are unique to this gallery, while others are collections from galleries in Cyber Conservatory http://arctangent.smugmug.com/Nature/Cyber-conservatory-plants) with the words 'Arid House' in the gallery name. Look for the companion "Hot Shots #2" gallery to this one with pictures of plants from tropical and temperate climate zones (see http://arctangent.smugmug.com/000-Newest-Uploads/Hot-Shots-2-Tropical-Temperate/15820856_nMZC6F)

Just for fun, I've decided to map tag the parts of the world where some of the various plants are native, rather than locations of the individuals I photographed.

For cacti in my cyber conservatory, for example, see the gallery: http://arctangent.smugmug.com/Nature/Cyber-conservatory-plants/Arid-House-Cactus-Collection/15911880_jJSXXL

As with most plants, amazing details are revealed when you look closely. I hope you'll take the time to view at least some of these images in their larger sizes, or download them and view them with "zoomable" viewing software. Above all, enjoy!
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Shadows on a dying agave. DP158-2013 Posted May 7; processed ditto This agave, a century plant, is in a slow decline because it bloomed last winter. The leaves are ever so gradually losing color and beginning to droop, from loss of moisture I suppose. . Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Michigan June 6, 2013
Desert rose or Impala lily. DP164-2013 Posted June 13; processed ditto Adenium obesum . . . Family Apocynaceae (dogbane family) . . . Native to Africa and Arabia . Arid House of the Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Michigan June 6, 2013 (D156) Humble thanks for all the support I've received for my recent posts. Yesterday's shot of columbines was a personal favorite, so I'm especially glad so many of you liked it as well. I've learned over the years that pictures that are my own favorites aren't always the most popular with others. I start each new day in the DailyPhotos community with zero expectations, and just take what the day brings!
00 All cacti - selected blooms Echinocereus Cactus #02-2013M 14 Echinocereus pentalophus Family: Cactaceae . Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Michigan June 6, 2013
Mammillaria Mound. DP102-2013 Posted April 12; processed ditto. Each cactus in the mound is fairly small, with each opened blossom no more than 1/4 - 1/2 inch across, I'd say. The entire mound is several feet in diameter, at a guess. The perspective of the shot exaggerates its size relative to, for example, the truly large variegated leaf century plant in the background. Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory, April 10, 2013
D076-2013 I don't know what it is. I just liked the pattern made by the fronds or leaves. . The Conservatory at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Michigan March 17, 2013
'Dew' Drops. This petite cactus (not more than 3" in diameter, at a guess) was doing an efficient job of holding on to the droplets it received from the scheduled misting from overhead jets. Almost every other cactus in the room had already given back that source of moisture through evaporation. DP051-2013. Posted February 20, 2013; processed February 19. I had hoped to be able to choose from among pictures taken yesterday during some of the snow squalls, showing birds, squirrels, and even deer who came into the yard in search of food. But all the ones I took were dull and uninteresting. So I opted for an older, but technically better and visually more interesting (in my opinion) shot from a recent visit to Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Taken February 12, 2013
Dots and Dashes. Detail of a leaf of Agave americana 'variegata'. IHNC what caused the wounds to the leaf. If you look closely you'll see that the cream colored outer stripe is smooth, while the green part is softly mottled. The entire leaf is extremely stiff and pretty hard. Conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Ann Arbor, Michigan January a4, 2013
Detail of a leaf of the Agave americana 'variegata' A shot of the full plant, which is quite large, is here: http://smu.gs/13SxvX5 Matthaei Botanical Gardens Conservatory Ann Arbor, Michigan January 4, 2013
Christmas Displays in the Conservatory rooms that house the desert plants took the form of various appropriate natural materials. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Grand Rapids, Michigan December 13, 2012
Dots and Dashes.
Detail of a leaf of Agave americana 'variegata'. IHNC what caused the wounds to the leaf.
If you look closely you'll see that the cream colored outer stripe is smooth, while the green part is softly mottled. The entire leaf is extremely stiff and pretty hard.

Conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Ann Arbor, Michigan
January a4, 2013
Dots and Dashes. Detail of a leaf of Agave americana 'variegata'. IHNC what caused the wounds to the leaf. If you look closely you'll see that the cream colored outer stripe is smooth, while the green part is softly mottled. The entire leaf is extremely stiff and pretty hard. Conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Ann Arbor, Michigan January a4, 2013
Dots and Dashes.
Detail of a leaf of Agave americana 'variegata'. IHNC what caused the wounds to the leaf.
If you look closely you'll see that the cream colored outer stripe is smooth, while the green part is softly mottled. The entire leaf is extremely stiff and pretty hard.

Conservatory at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Ann Arbor, Michigan
January a4, 2013
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< 7 of 127 >