I spent two wonderful weeks in Morocco this Summer (2012). While visiting the former capital city of Morocco, our host, a charming lady draw our attention to a nice place what she called a green oasis in the desert of the city to have a rest. First we thought it is just a formula that sounds good for the tourists, but when we had some time after walking hours in the city in the heat, we decided to visit the Garden. When we entered, we were shocked by the cool air, vapour in the air. We immediatelly sat down to have a rest and drink the valuable water we hadjust bought outside before entering the graden. First we visited the memorial of Yves Saint-Laurent in the bushy area full of bamboos. But soon my attention turned to the cacti. There are more than 1800 species of cacti in the garden famous of its blue style.
First I bumped into a huge columnar which the forum identified as Cereus peruvianus (I know it means: no id )
Advancing further in just before the pond I found this nice variegated yucca:
Then the wonder started with old Echinocactus grunsonii which I also have at home in Hungary, but a much smaller one.
Look at the cool flowers, the cactus itself can be about 100 years old!
This huge thick columnar next to the pond was identified as Echinopsis terscheckii.
I liked so much the many fruits of Pachycereus pringlei, from which species I also have a baby at home, but still could not recognize the mother.
I like Feros, I do have some species at home, not this potsii, so I was amazed by this beuty with fruits.
Closeup of the head reveals the buds as well, which makes it easier to identiffy the species.
The structure of Echinocereus ledignii resembles me to a spider or octopus with stretching legs.
This cactus is a Fero again, possible the same species of potsii.
This is just a very few cacti of the vast offer the garden gives you. I would not say that it worth to visit the country, the city just for the garden and its cacti, becuase it is just one of the thousands of wonders there. Thanks for everyone in the forum helping me in the identification of the cacti in the garden.
Majorelle Garden, Marrakech, Morocco
Majorelle Garden, Marrakech, Morocco
Last edited by Vajaho on Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
Friends like flowers need love to grow.
Vajaho
Vajaho
Re: Majorelle Garden, Marrakech, Morocco
looks like a great garden!
With apologies to the late Professor C. D. Darlington the following misquotation springs to
mind ‘cactus taxonomy is the pursuit of the impossible by the incompetent’ - Fearn & Pearcy, Rebutia (1981)
mind ‘cactus taxonomy is the pursuit of the impossible by the incompetent’ - Fearn & Pearcy, Rebutia (1981)
- Peterthecactusguy
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Re: Majorelle Garden, Marrakech, Morocco
Don't despair about the the E. grusonii, I have one that I got from DBG in PHX and it's grown maybe an inch or two and added maybe 2 inches to its diameter. They are very slow growers. Seedling P. pringelii look different from the adults, the seedlings are spined the adults usually lack them.
Here's to you, all you insidious creatures of green..er I mean cacti.
Re: Majorelle Garden, Marrakech, Morocco
Many thanks for sharing your photos!
Doubt that I will ever visit Morocco - so seeing the Majorelle Garden through your camera lens is very helpful and much appreciated.
The grounds look immaculate.
Doubt that I will ever visit Morocco - so seeing the Majorelle Garden through your camera lens is very helpful and much appreciated.
The grounds look immaculate.