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Okay, it's not a cactus, but I love the patchwork effect of the moss and lichen on this rock.

Okay, it’s not a cactus, but I love the patchwork effect of the moss and lichen on this rock.

I spent the end of the year in Arizona, and much of that time was spent along the Apache Trail. Below is a sampling of many of the cacti I saw while there:

Saguaro and ocotillo at Tonto National Monument.

Saguaro and ocotillo at Tonto National Monument.

And a baby saguaro growing in the rocks there.

And a baby saguaro growing in the rocks there.

A baby barrel cactus at Tonto National Monument.

A baby barrel cactus at Tonto National Monument.

And a barrel cactus fruiting in the cienega at Mesa Community College Red Mountain.

And a barrel cactus fruiting in the cienega at Mesa Community College Red Mountain.

A cholla cactus at Tonto National Monument.

A cholla cactus at Tonto National Monument.

A fishhook pincushion cactus at Tonto National Monument.

A fishhook pincushion cactus at Tonto National Monument.

Prickly Pear along the Apache Trail.

Prickly Pear along the Apache Trail.

Agave's last stand: while not a cactus, agave plants are interesting in that they only bloom once and then die. Also known as a "century plant", they only live 50 years or less.

Agave’s last stand: while not a cactus, agave plants are interesting in that they only bloom once and then die. Also known as a “century plant”, they only live 50 years or less.