It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Photo by Thomas Schmied

In Scottsdale, the cacti take on their own personalities at the holidays.  This cereus peruvianus may look funny wearing Santa hats, but the hats look more festive than the styrofoam cups used later in the winter.  These hats serve two purposes.  As the fragile growth part of the plant at the end of each column is very susceptible to the cold of the desert nights, these hats really do keep them warm.  Just don't sit on Santa's lap.