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cactus

  • Pincushion Cactus (1915)

    Pincushion Cactus (1915)

    Margaret Armstrong (American, 1867–1944)

    Delicate spines emerge from the pincushion cactus, each needle precise against the soft watercolor wash. The illustration balances scientific accuracy with an unexpected tenderness, revealing the plant’s hidden elegance.

  • The Broom Cactus (1815-1819)

    The Broom Cactus (1815-1819)

    Sydenham Edwards (English, 1768–1819)

    Spiky arms stretch upward, each rib lined with sharp yellow spines. Delicate pink flowers bloom unexpectedly from the harsh, angular form—a desert survivor dressed in unlikely finery. The watercolor’s precise strokes trace every thorn and petal, revealing beauty in the bristling.