06 April 2008

Orchids of the desert

I have come to the conclusion that there is a certain kind of plant that should be named: Orchids of the Desert. I am referring to the yuccas or the banana yucca in this case. While enjoying my walk through the desert botanical garden before Tai Chi class, this week the yuccas are in full bloom. So I got my first viewing with them up close and personal.
The flowers are so beautiful. Delicate and slightly fragrant. The smell is oddly familiar.... hmm, like a banana! Ahh... hmmm... so good! The fragrance is very faint, it does not fill the air around you unfortunately, but nevertheless to see them is just as pleasing.
So on my walk I had a mission. Find all of the banana yuccas. They are easy to spot since the yuccas are so tall up to 15 feet in some cases. There were some smaller ones though around 8 feet, and hence the viewing of the flowers.
The wildflowers are all but done now. I am seeing that the cacti are getting ready to bloom. An older gentleman was telling me that in the high desert the cacti, yuccas, and other flowering plants have yet to open. When they do open at the botanical garden, it may be my cue to head for the high deserts in Arizona.