Galapagos 7-1-11 Genovesa Prince Philips Steps Lava Cactus [11 of 26]
The forest stops abruptly at a ridge of lava, beyond which is a barren field of broken lava punctuated by lava cactus, found only in Galapagos. Growing in lava fields, small lava cactus grow in clumps measuring up to 60cm in height. The youngest growth is the yellow areas of the cactus, the yellow caused by a reflection of the sun hitting the plant. The spines on the lava cactus collect moisture when there is drizzle and fog.