prickly pear cactus, Arizona by danapommet
Open full image in new tab Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
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)
I get the point! this is a very interesting plant that has many uses Very cool
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++))
Ouchhhh What I have to do if my golf ball fall under those cactus ? :) Gorgeou$
A healthy stand of these prickly beauties!
Excellent!
Be careful not to fall on them. Not fun! Great capture! :)
wonderful sticky shot lol
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.
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.
wonderful captured into sunshine this !!but will not touch this :)
I love the blossoms on these cacti!
Nice shot Dana I have some of these sitting under a bench waiting to be repotted, I'm trying to pluck up courage.
Wonderful capture, dear Dana. Would not like to bump in to one. Hugs for all day. Di. xx
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!
Fantastic capture!
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!
Great summer shot- thanks for sharing! :)
Selina Photography™
great shot
Thinks i will stay out of that patch ouch great view of these prickly buggers.
Very prickly, never seen so many!!!
Just to remind me all the boxes full of dias from my year in Arizona (1981)... Next winter I will have to find time to scan the bests... :~)
Well do not get too close to these, they are damn sharp! Wonderful capture , Dana and interesting info !
Outstanding capture and narrative!!
This is a scenery most common in Sicily! And the fruits are very sweet to eat! Excellent capture! :)
Stark lighting contrast in this keen kapture, Dana. A sticky bunch of wickets, indeed....and very common around here in the great Southwest.
Wonderful shot Dana and very interesting info!
nice bed for fakirs
"Mickey Mouse-ears"? ;o) Fine capture and info, Dana! :o)