More cacti with toes by goodoleboy
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Description
Captured at the beautiful Los Angeles Botanic Garden in beautiful Arcadia, California.
Leeco says this is prickly pear cactus, which I've heard of but never seen before, so unless someone claims otherwise, I'll take his/her word for it.
Anyway, it was a real stickler standing in that needle patch shooting photos, but worth the agony.
Comments (9)
Zacko
Pear cactus huh? I sure hope it doesnt bear fruit. They really are huge arent they? I honestly didnt even think such cactus...es? existed, cause ive only seen them in cartoons and animated movies, lol. Beautiful colors in this one as well. Have a swell day. #:o)
st_fish
So does the needles stick through your shoes? Sounds painful... wonder how much pain I'll endure for a great photo? Well you certainly did a good job! Well done! :)
goodoleboy
Yowsa, yowsa, yowsa...I just checked this stuff out on the Internet, and find Leeco was absolutely correct on the species of this cacti. It is indeed of the prickly pear variety, the toes are called cactus fruit, and it is native to Arizona. Live and learn.
busi2ness
"Awesome" texture of the unfriendly thorns. They were brought to South Africa at the turn of the previous century where it has no natural enemies, the rest you can imagine...
Richardphotos
they are beautiful but I will keep my distance if it is all the same. there is a very small cacti that is popular with some people but I hate it. if it is disturbed the thorns will shoot out and get you if you are in 6" of it
claudialee
Great shot even though the stickers look horrid. Thanks for sharing. Hugs!!!
jocko500
I been to Arizona one time; lovely place. but to the image I like the pov here and I hope you did not sit down lol
gingerlou
Exquisite capture of this beautiful cactus!
wgardenhire
Yes this is prickly pear cactus and it is indigenous to a whole lot more than Arizona. In fact, if anyplace has more than Texas, I'd like to see it. This stuff is prolific and the 'pears' aka toes can be used to make a very good jelly when ripe (they turn a deep purple). BTW, the pears are the fruit. There is also a spineless variety that folks use for landscaping. The spines were used as sewing needles and the pads (sans spines and peeled) are called nopales and are typically cooked with scrambled eggs, served with corn tortillas. Nopales can also be pickled and eaten. During times of drought, the spines are burnt off with a backpack flame thrower so the cattle can eat it without harm; they'll eat it anyway. Quite a versatile plant, wouldn't you say?