Here we see an interesting trio of small trees — Maiden's Quiver trees that are related to Aloe. Thus they are sometimes referred to as "tree-aloe". They are found in southern Africa.

Next up is a covered pavilion full of a variety of cactuses. I love it, not only for the cactus but for the relief from the sun that it provides, which is especially important on a summer visit to the Desert Botanical Garden.

Same pavilion, different angle.

Here is a stand of Golden Barrel Cactus. It really looks so "Arizona", doesn't it?

Next, we see a stand of Prickly Pear Cactus which is probably the most recognized cactus after Saguaro. According to Wikipedia, "Prickly pear species are found in abundance in Mexico, especially in the central and western regions, and in the Caribbean islands (West Indies). In the United States, prickly pears are native to many areas of the arid, semi-arid, and drought-prone Western and South Central United States, including the lower elevations of the Rocky Mountains and southern Great Plains".

In Mexico, prickly pears are often used to make appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, vegetable dishes, breads, desserts, beverages, candy, jelly, and drinks.

More help from Wikipedia, "In botany, areoles are small light- to dark-colored bumps on cacti out of which grow clusters of spines. Areoles are important diagnostic features of cacti and identify them as a family distinct from other succulent plants. The spines are not easily detachable, but on certain cacti, members of the subfamily Opuntioideae, smaller, detachable bristles, glochids, also grow out of the areoles and afford additional protection."

Oh, it seems like we have already seen this guy. Maybe he's a twin. 😎

Here are his cousins enjoying a nice sunny day and waiting to be the stars of the show once the sun goes down.

Wow, this looks like a Yellow Bell bush. We sell a lot of these in Lowe's Garden because, besides being pretty, they can tolerate the HOT Arizona Summer Sun. Even the Highway Department likes them — and plants them along our highways since they require so little maintenance. Automatic watering is about the only care they get.

Ah, one of my favorites — the Firecracker plant — so named because its small tubular flowers resemble the firecrackers that are shot off during Chinese New Year celebrations.

Oh, another performer in tonight's show — although dressed in red rather than gold.

And another lovely Desert Rose. Great way to end this edition of LAHP. I hope you enjoyed it.