A Desert Rose By Any Other Name

Cactus Roses

I took this photo last year while driving around Glen Rose (Texas, of course). While these blooms are not what is usually referred to as a Desert Rose, which is of the oleander family, they are more what comes to mind if you live in Texas. Cactus are the bane of most ranchers, but they have a special kind of beauty if you know when and where to look. For some reason, this photo made me think of the Sting song:

Desert Rose

I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in pain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

Sweet desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

Sweet desert rose
This memory of Eden haunts us all
This desert flower, this rare perfume
Is the sweet intoxication of the fall

To be sure, you WILL be in pain if you try to pick any of the blooms off these menancing green paddles. For every thorn you can see, there are tiny hairlike stickers that burrow into your skin if you are foolhardy enough to touch. I have a few cacti in my garden, but they are smaller plants, and I use special gloves to pot and care for them. Nasty little boogers if you don't give 'em lots of respect. A lot like Texas women, come to think of it...