In Search of the Unicorn

Dropping into the low desert

I knew from our hike the other day that the striking flowers of the Desert Unicorn Plant (aka "Devil's Claw") would be making an appearance soon, and this morning I went a bit out of our way to look for them.  I had no trouble finding them because they're blooming all over a sandy section of desert west of Tortugas Mountain not far off the outer loop road.  As I say in one of the photo captions the Unicorn Plant spreads by means of a claw-like structure that gets caught up in the fur of animals who then inadvertently carry the seeds to other parts of the desert.  It must be a pretty successful strategy because the hearty plans are growing abundantly in the Chihuahuan Desert.

One of two happy hikers this morning

Ocotillo/sky

About to cut through an arroyo on the Cross Cut Trail

Said arroyo

Ocotillo with a wide spread

Another Nipple Beehive Cactus with flower buds

North of the Organ Mountains, southern section of the Rockies

Desert Unicorn Plant

Unicorn Plant (aka "Yellow-flowered Devil's Claw)

Devil's Claw has a unique way of spreading its seeds

A claw-like segment attaches to wildlife to broadcast seeds