Friday, May 20, 2011

Pretty in Pink, The Horse Crippler

Horse Crippler
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

It's springtime on the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau and these pretty hot pink blooms can be seen popping up in this drought laden-land. Though the springtime blooms are pretty in pink, these cacti grow low. They hide among the grass and rocks making them difficult to see, thus crippling a horse that might step on the thorns of this plant. Hence the name, Horse Crippler.

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Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

61 comments:

  1. mercedes scottMay 20, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Dear Sarah, once again, a wonderful P.S. post... those blooms are just lovely, and brand new to those of us in the Midwest who have never seen one! I appreciated the information about their danger to horses... sounds painful! Happy Pink Saturday :)

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  2. SplenderosaMay 20, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    I didn't know of this plant and I'm a native Texan!! HPS, Sarah...xx's

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  3. ShabbyprimdelightsMay 20, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    I am only just starting to understand the beauty of cactus. there rare blooms are amazing.
    HPS
    Michelle

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  4. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsMay 20, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Wow....pretty but dangerous!

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  5. AnnesphamilyMay 20, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    What a wonderful post! I am happy that I stopped by. Have a terrific weekend! Anne

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  6. CharMay 20, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Hi Sarah, I think the cactus and blooms are very pretty, but I sure hate the name!! HA.
    Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  7. BettyMay 20, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Cactus have the most beautiful blooms. We have one that is about to bloom. I can't wait. I hope it is as pretty as the Horse crippler. What a name!
    Happy Pink Saturday!

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  8. The TablescaperMay 20, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    They sure are pretty in pink. How neat to know the derivative of the name.

    - The Tablescaper

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  9. Cindy AdkinsMay 20, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Oh wow, Sarah, those are gorgeous!! I love the pink flowers on them! Happy Pink Saturday!!!
    XO
    Cindy

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  10. Gypsea NurseMay 21, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    Sarah~
    Yours are stunning!
    Have a fab weekend!
    Smiles~
    Cricket

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  11. LynnMay 21, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    Well, pretty flower for what sounds like an unpleasant plant:@)

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  12. DebbieMay 21, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    I have never seen these before. I think they are really beautiful with the burst of pink at the top. I guess they are dangerous little beauties, though.

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  13. ~✽Mumsy✽~May 21, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Gorgeous flowers, and the pink color is so soft.

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  14. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMay 21, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Don't have any cacti but they do have some magnificent blooms! Hope your weekend is wonderful.
    Cindy

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  15. JojoMay 21, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    But you have to admit, the are beautiful.

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  16. bjMay 21, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    So many of the cactus family have such bright, beautiful flowers.
    Hope your weekend is just as bright. xoxo bj

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  17. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleMay 21, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Such pretty flowers on the cacti. We saw those when we were out west one year. I think your drought came here. We haven't had rain in three weeks now and the yard is so dry.

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  18. Bluebirds and RosesMay 21, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Lovely post..Happy Pink Saturday...

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  19. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)May 21, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    I've never seen this plant, pretty and interesting. HPS hugs ~lynne~

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  20. JaneMay 21, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    I learned something today! The pink flowers are very pretty on the cactus but I guess you have to watch out for the pretty ones :)
    Have a wonderful Saturday.
    Jane

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  21. LVMay 21, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    I have a few cactus, but none that bloom like this. A lovely pink.

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  22. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiMay 21, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    I never hear of this catus before. Tts flower is so beautiful! I'm sure it would hurt a person's foot too if they stepped on it. Ouchie!

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  23. PondsideMay 21, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Now that`s a lethal plant! Pretty but dangerous - keep out of its way!

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  24. Anne LorysMay 21, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Beautiful, but deadly!
    Just like us, right? ;-)

    Hugs,
    Anne

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  25. OliviaMay 21, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Ahhh just pretty in the picture, as is life sometimes!
    Hugs,
    Olivia

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  26. OliviaMay 21, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Ahhh just pretty in the picture, as is life sometimes!
    Hugs,
    Olivia

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  27. PriscillaMay 21, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    So pretty to be so dangerous.

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  28. Country Wings in PhoenixMay 21, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Happy Pink Saturday Sarah Sweetie...
    What a gorgeous share once again. I love seeing your beautiful mosaic photo of the horse crippler. I have never heard of this one, but I do love the blooms, and we have been seeing a few of our own bloom here in Phoenix as well. I love seeing what each cactus might give us year after year.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend sweet friend. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  29. xinexMay 22, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Love them, Sarah! They are so cute...Christine

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  30. Castles Crowns and CottagesMay 22, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    OUCH! But pretty indeed!! Oh Saray, I am so excited for next week and thank YOU for participating! It will be fun to see the different views of Paris from all of your blogs!

    Have a pleasant Sunday! Anita

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  31. MaggieMay 22, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    So pretty but so dangerous to our four footed friends.
    hugs
    Maggie

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  32. Confessions of a Plate AddictMay 22, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Hi Sarah! What a beautiful flower to be so dangerous! Loved the barnyard tablescape...so cute...especially the layered burlap! Your white post was lovely! I really enjoy the white flowers in my garden at night. I'm running to catch up as usual...up to my eyeballs in babies! lol Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

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  33. RettabugMay 22, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    What an interesting factoid, Sarah!
    I remember a few years ago, the Southwest dessert bloomed exceptionally beautiful, due to heavy rains. My sister sent me a photo of the riot of color & I made a quilted wall hanging of the same view. I'll have to see if I can find a photo of it. She has it hanging in her laundry room, I think.

    Sure wish we could send you guys some of our rain. Spoke to my brother last night, who said they've had 3/4 of an inch since Jan. !!!! I think we had 6" just last month. :/

    Have a wonderful Sunday & enjoy your sunshine!
    fondly,
    Rett

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  34. nanniepannieMay 22, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Very pretty, too bad something that lovely can be so dangerous. Enjoyed your tablescape next post down. Loved the chicks.

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  35. jeanneMay 22, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Hi Sarah, thank you so much for your sweet comment yesterday. Pretty flowers but hate the thorns. I have not heard of the Horse Crippler plants before. Very interesting.
    Happy pink Sat.
    Hugs, Jeanne

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  36. The French HutchMay 22, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Sarah, I'm not familiar with this plant. It is so beautiful with its pink bloom, and I guess like some of my favorite roses it has a nasty thorn. Oh those poor ranchers whose horse takes a path with such a deceiving beauty! Lovely Pink Post
    Hope your having a lovely Sunday........

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  37. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)May 22, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Those plants are so pretty Sarah!
    I didn't know you lived in S. Texas...for some reason I though you lived out East. We have had a lot of rain this spring, I wish I could share some of it with you!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  38. BabsMay 22, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Sarah, That is so interesting. The flower is beautiful, but what an awful name. I guess more awful for the horse who steps on it.
    Nice mosaic.
    Have a great week,
    Babs

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  39. NicNacManiacMay 22, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    Oh my goodness Sarah,

    I have been away for so long! Your blog posts do not disappoint as usual!
    Thank you sweet Sarah for always being there for me with all of your kind comments, I treasure every one of them!!

    I hope you are enjoying your weekend and continue to be the joy and inspiration that you are to so many!!
    Big {{Hugs}} Nerina

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  40. MaryMay 23, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    It's amazing how something so pretty & pink is the bloom of a cactus in an arid environment! I would imagine it would be crippling to anyone who stepped on it :-)

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  41. AnonymousMay 23, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Happy belated Pink Saturday Sarah and hope you have a wonderful week! Try as I might I just cannot love cactus and anything related. I don't think I could ever live in the desert. Once, long ago, the boys (my husband) gave me an aloe vera plant for Mother's Day. He knew I disliked cactus or anything like it and by the end of the day I had pitched a fit. Mostly because he forgot Mother's Day and ran to the grocery store and bought the only plant they had. LOL xoxo

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  42. Ricki TreleavenMay 23, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Hey! I am catching-up on your blog. Neat Pink Saturday post, Sarah. I like the barnyard chic post, too!

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  43. BeverlyMay 23, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    I have loved the gorgeous blooms on various cacti since I was a young child.

    It seems interesting that an "inflictor of pain" can be so pretty. Kind of like a rose.

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  44. Tammy@Beatrice BanksMay 23, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    So interesting! I didn't realize you were a TX girl or maybe I had just forgotten it. I'm in GA now but my heart will always be in TX!
    Have a great week!

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  45. DebbiedoosMay 23, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Hi Sarah! That is a really neat plant. I love the pink flower. I never would have thought that to be a a native in Texas. Thanks for sharing.

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  46. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageMay 23, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Hi Sarah! Cactus can have such gorgeous flowers can't they? I'd never heard of the name! We have lots of prickly pear here. So glad for your visit!

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  47. Cass @ That Old HouseMay 23, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    The hidden thorns behind the pretty face! What a stunning flower -- but OUCH!

    Thanks for stopping by That Old House -- and yes, you can use the same aluminum pan over and over again to do the silver polishing. Cheapest, least toxic, safest method ever of polishing silver. And Soooo easy!

    Never has a Dollar Tree pan and a box of baking soda done so much good!
    Cass

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  48. SueMay 24, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Sarah- I grew up out west, so I saw many different varieties of cacti. I didn't know they called this one the horse crippler! It is gorgeous, as are many of the other ones that flower. I hated getting stuck with cactus thorns or falling down on them while out on a hike. :-(

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  49. LindaMay 24, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Marvelous shots!!

    Glad to be following you now...

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  50. KathleenMay 24, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    I think I must have stepped on one! :) I was working in the basement and I feel like I am crippled.
    Beautiful flowers, Sarah. Raining for days here. I wish I could send you some, I know you are so dry there. I just heard some bad weather going toward TX. Stay safe!

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  51. Light and VoicesMay 24, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Masterpiece of a simple cactus.
    Joyce M

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  52. UnknownMay 25, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    very pink and pretty
    Poor horses though

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  53. AnnMay 25, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Magnificent pink blooms, such beauty from something all sharp and bland.

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  54. Honey at 2805May 25, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Lovely but can certainly be bad news. Didn't realize you were from Texas until now. So am I.

    I'm late at comments as I've been caught in the Blogger "can't leave a comment" group.

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  55. KathyMay 25, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Wow! Beautify and dangerous at the same time! It would probably cripple me! I'd stumble into it!
    As my children say - 'Just Sayin'
    :)
    Kathy

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  56. Kim @ Starshine ChicMay 26, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    I learned something new today. And I love the pink flower.

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  57. ShirlMay 26, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Hello, Happy Pink Saturday! I'm still making PS visits. Love your pink post this week. bYour blooms are beautiful! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment.
    I wish you peace! Shirl
    Shirls Rose Cottage

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  58. saltbox
    treasures    May 26, 2011 at 11:33 PM

    I've never seen these before, but your pink blooms are gorgeous!!
    ~ Julie

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  59. French-KissedMay 27, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Dear Sarah,

    My sister and I were just talking about how much we are craving a trip to Texas...growing up we spent almost every vacation there...my mom is a Texan...love it best during wildflower season...looks like we have missed it this year but we have cousins that have just moved to Fredricksberg so we are hoping to pay them a visit soon.

    Jermaine

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  60. Johanna GehrleinMay 27, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Hello Sarah,
    for me it is always amazing when cacti grow wild in a contry. I have them in a glass house. This is a pretty pink!
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  61. VictoriaMay 28, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Hi Sarah..oh my!! what a fabulous post..you are such a shining star always! Beautiful! That was such FUN!
    Kiki

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