prickly pear cactus, Arizona by danapommet

Photography • Flowers/Plants • posted on Aug 08, 2011

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Description

Opuntia, also known paddle cactus, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently, only prickly pears are included in this genus growing throughout most of the Americas. The most commonly culinary species is the Indian Fig Opuntia. Most culinary uses of the term "prickly pear" refer to this species. When the fruit grows (it has the resemblance to the ball and paddle toy) and thus the name paddle cactus. Prickly pears typically grow with flat, rounded platyclades that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hair like prickles called glochids, that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. They are very irritating. Many types of prickly pears grow into dense, tangled structures. Cactus figs are often used to make candies, jelly, or drinks such as vodka or lemonade. Most info from Wikipedia. 1996 photo was scanned. Zoom works for a better look at the fruit. Thanks for stopping by my gallery, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments. They are very much appreciated. Dana

Comments (28)

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Faemike55

8:05PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

I get the point! this is a very interesting plant that has many uses Very cool

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mickeyrony

8:09PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

This beautiful story my friend and I love these plants cacti of all kinds. Thank you so much for sharing ((5 + +)) Superbe cette narration et ces plantes mon ami J'adore les cactus en tout genre . Merci beaucoup de partager ((5++))

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MagikUnicorn

8:24PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

Ouchhhh What I have to do if my golf ball fall under those cactus ? :) Gorgeou$

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MrsRatbag

8:44PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

A healthy stand of these prickly beauties!

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lior

9:19PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

Excellent!

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kbrog

9:31PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

Be careful not to fall on them. Not fun! Great capture! :)

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jocko500

11:09PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

wonderful sticky shot lol

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pixeluna

11:36PM | Mon, 08 August 2011

I've seen some shops at Flagstaff and in Grand Canyon that sell these as pickled appetizers. How they made it, I still don't know, never tried it myself.

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jayfar

1:09AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

Lovely shot Dana. I remember travelling down through Arizona on the road to Phoenix and was amazed by the number of cacti which were everywhere.

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Feliciti

1:10AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

wonderful captured into sunshine this !!but will not touch this :)

whaleman

1:30AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

I love the blossoms on these cacti!

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Katraz

1:37AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

Nice shot Dana I have some of these sitting under a bench waiting to be repotted, I'm trying to pluck up courage.

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rainbows

1:55AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

Wonderful capture, dear Dana. Would not like to bump in to one. Hugs for all day. Di. xx

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durleybeachbum

2:06AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

Amazingly one of these has survived in a pot outside in my garden for years, but I was relieved when the extreme cold of last winter killed it! I have gone off prickly plants!

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fallen21

2:35AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

Fantastic capture!

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dochtersions

2:36AM | Tue, 09 August 2011

An amazing capture, Dana. I love the light and shadow, how it's playing here in it. Fantastic info. Difficult to imagine how they make candy of this thorny plants. My mother, she had several cacti, and I know how annoying those little spines are. It's hard to get them out of your skin. What a lot of buds are in there, WOW!

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