This painting presents a cluster of Barrel cacti, endemic to the deserts of Southwestern North America, southward to north-central Mexico. Barrel cacti are cultivated by plant nurseries as an ornamental plant; in this painting they are situated within a botanical garden. Barrel cacti can fall over because they grow based on sun orientation. The sunlight that falls on the plants creates a glowing aura. They usually grow towards the south to prevent surface tissue sunburn, giving the name “compass cactus.” The spines of a cactus protect the plants against predation and sunburn. They are drought hardy and resistant to pests. Like most desert dwellers, they prefer rocky or sandy, extremely well-drained soil, as well as full sun.

This painting presents a cluster of Barrel cacti, endemic to the deserts of Southwestern North America, southward to north-central Mexico. Barrel cacti are cultivated by plant nurseries as an ornamental plant; in this painting they are situated within a botanical garden. Barrel cacti can fall over because they grow based on sun orientation. The sunlight that falls on the plants creates a glowing aura. They usually grow towards the south to prevent surface tissue sunburn, giving the name “compass cactus.” The spines of a cactus protect the plants against predation and sunburn. They are drought hardy and resistant to pests. Like most desert dwellers, they prefer rocky or sandy, extremely well-drained soil, as well as full sun.