CLARET CUP CACTUS Sharp Focus and Clear Mind

Article submitted 03/20/2009 by Linda Reiger
www.apathtowholeness.net
www.natureshealinggrace.blogspot.com

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Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) is often found in the shade of Pinion and Ponderosa Pine trees. Taking a stroll through the desert, you may walk right by them. However, when they are in bloom, you are immediately drawn to their sharply defined color and shape of the flowers.

The color and texture contrasts between the flower and rest of the plant make it a well-known photographic subject for many people living in its range, the southern area of the desert Southwest from California to Texas.

The beautiful red, cup shaped flower of the Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) tells the story behind the plant’s name. Claret Cups are a species of hedgehog cactus. Echinos is Greek for hedgehog. All hedgehog cactuses have short little bodies covered with straight spines.

Claret Cups are the most widespread of the hedgehog species and are the most variable in appearance. In fact, the several varieties are so different looking that the only uniting factor is the bright red bloom and rounded petals.

This small ribbed barrel shaped cactus usually grows in mounds composed of numerous stems, usually around 20, but sometimes as many as 500! Claret Cup Hedgehog is usually between 2 to 8 inches in height. The stems are mainly cylindrical, up to 1 foot long and 1 -2 1/2 inches thick, and with 9 or 10 ribs. The central spines are straight or slightly curved and 1 – 2 inches long. Smaller radial spines come up from below the central spines at a sharp angle. Stems are green and contain chlorophyll. There are no leaves.

Claret Cup is the only cactus in Arizona that is adapted for pollination by hummingbirds! Each stiff, velvety petal is slightly cupped at the tip. Hummingbirds, such as the Broad-tailed, Black-chinned hummingbird, and the Magnificent and many other species, are the primary pollinators and must stick their entire head into the flower to reach the nectar chambers at the flower's base. In the process, the hummingbird's forehead is dusted with pollen!

Flowers bloom April through June, and grow below the stem’s tip. The flowers stay open at night, unlike many other species of cacti whose flowers close in the evening. These 1 to 2 inch flowers last three to five days

Claret Cup cacti can grow at high elevations (3500 to 9000 feet) due to the clumping of the individual stems, which helps to reduce the amount of surface area exposed, thus reducing the rate at which heat is lost to the air.

Root systems are shallow unless there is deep water. Stomates (pores) are open during the night, allowing entry of carbon dioxide, which is chemically stored; during the day, the carbon dioxide is used in photosynthesis.

Some Native American groups collected the Claret Cup's stems, burned off the spines and mashed them; sugar was then added to the mix and baked to form sweet cakes. The fruits are red at maturity and are edible.

When you see a Claret Cup Cactus in bloom, it is very easy to see the clarity and sharpness the flowers project and so its essence is one of clear, sharp focus.

In these challenging times, mental clarity and focus are vital for a healthy and successful life. This Flower Essence successfully promotes these attributes, helping one to be clear and calm, centered and alert. It also fosters a sense of well-being.

Many of us can’t seem to be clear about things in our lives. We often have so many thoughts running through our minds that we become confused. It is hard to have good judgment when we feel overloaded.

Claret Cup Flower Essence works in a simple way, by bringing us a clearer, sharper, more focused mind. It doesn't remove the thoughts from our minds, it just helps them gently fade into the background so that we may concentrate on the project at hand. When we are clear and focused its easier to contact our inner courage and find confidence.

Keeping mentally clear and sharp means you can easily cope with any challenges in your journey through the day. We all know that stress accumulates, and the last thing any of us needs when trying to get things done is for a metaphorical speck in our eye to feel like a boulder.

Keeping clear means keeping things real and in proportion and, therefore, manageable.

I have heard stories where Claret Cup Flower Essence has helped people remain sharp and focused after having only a small amount of sleep. New mothers have found this Essence helpful when they needed to return to the work force. This Flower Essence supports children who have a difficult time focusing on their schoolwork or homework. Case histories have shown it as an effective support for those with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

A Path to Wholeness website offers a variety of different flower essences to choose from; please stop by and learn more about them!

Walk in Beauty,
Linda Reiger
www.apathtowholeness.net
www.natureshealinggrace.blogspot.com

Linda Reiger has studied Metaphysics and Animal Wisdom for over ten years. She loves and appreciates beauty in anything, whether it is a person, art, music or nature. Being a Libran soul, balance and harmony in life and surroundings are very important to her. She has attained third-degree Reiki, and infuses all her flower essences with the Reiki energy. Her website was created from the evolution of her own experiences and the deeper relationship she has developed with nature.

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