Gazania rigens, also known as treasure flower, is native to South Africa. It is a durable perennial plant that thrives in dry and hot conditions which needs full sun and well drained soil.

Gazania flowers close at night and in cloudy conditions. But during the day their beautiful colors are mesmerizing. They bloom in various vivid shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, white or in two tones.  In our garden the  gazanias are a stunning orange color.

At some point I noticed that, while most of our gazania flowers began to dry, – closing  their life cycle – few were still in bloom. This contrast is what caught my eye and I felt compelled to capture  the moment.

This post is part of the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Temporary

The huge beautiful flowers of this specific cactus Echinopsis oxygona, with common name Easter lily cactus, drew my attention. I found  the contrast of the flower size with the cactus, very interesting.

Another fascinating particularity of the flower is that it opens in the evening and wilts the next afternoon on hot days. On cool days it will last longer.

I remember that my uncle, who brought us this cactus, was very charmed with its flowers. Now I understand the reason!

This post is part of the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Evanescent