Wednesday 17 October 2012

Spikey Inspiration - Lanzarote Part 2

Following on from the last blog, whilst on Lanzarote we visited the Jardin de Cactus. Initially it looked disappointing for the entry fee but when we started to explore (after a drink and eats) we were both impressed with the design of the gardens but mostly with the specimens. 
I won't bore you with the discussion about what is a "true" cactus and the similar adaptations of a range of much more familiar plant groups, not to mention succulents!
Wow! Their specimens were brilliant and photography can't do them justice.
(Note to self - how can anyone judge the scale of these!? Scientist?)


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Thinking about their "spikey" adaptations got me pondering on all the other species that have developed spikes for protection from plant-sucking bugs to stonefish to lizards.

But spikes can be offensive! Canines are spikey teeth.

Of course, human ingenuity has led to technological innovations from simple piercing swords and arrows to barbed fishing hooks, grappling irons and anchors to Velcro.
Sorry, started to ramble instead of crystallising my thoughts but then a blog is not a finished article but a series of musings.

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