Barrel cactus flowers are ideal for observing bee behavior up close...🐝 Male bees dive headfirst into the dense cluster of stamens in search of nectar, often disappearing completely from view for 10–30 seconds before resurfacing, covered in pollen. Female bees, in contrast, move more deliberately across the tops of the stamens, actively collecting pollen with their legs and bodies. They gather this pollen to bring back to their nests, where it will serve as a food source for their developing of

Learn about “one of the most intimidating cacti” Jack from Botany has ever met, as well as a common barrel cactus found in the wild desert surrounding the Museum! Part two coming soon. 🌵 Video: Jack kneels on a dirt path in the Cactus Garden and points to a short round purple cactus with elongated curved spines, as the camera zooms in on the cactus. The video cuts to Jack in front of two larger and taller cacti with fishhook shaped spines as he points out features of this species. | Arizona-Son