We photographed this lava cactus on the morning of Monday, December 1, 2008, on the island of Bartolome. It is amazing that this species (or any species, for that matter) can survive in the drought conditions that exist here. We observed this species on our climb to the summit of the island. This area is a volcanic moonscape of rust-colored "spatter cones" contrasting with large pale tuff cones and sooty lava flows. Growing in lava fields as their name suggests, these small cacti grow in clumps measuring up to 23 in (60 cm) in height. New growth on the cactus is yellow, and as the cactus matures its color fades and eventually turns gray or black with age. Creamy white flowers are visible in the early morning hours before the heat causes them to fade. It was a partly cloudy morning with temperatures in the 70's.