We photographed this lava cactus late in the afternoon of Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at Punta Espinosa on the island of Fernandina. It is amazing that this species can survive in what appear to be extreme conditions. 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. Undisturbed, these cacti can live from 50 to 100 years. It was a partly cloudy afternoon with temperatures in the lower 70's.