The prickly pear cactus is flowering in south west Texas. A sure sign that the days are getting warmer (90ºF, 32.2ºc) and summer is on it’s way. The prickly pear cactus, a member of the Opuntia genus, is found in all the deserts of the American Southwest.
Most have large spines on their stems and they vary in height from less than a foot to more than 7 feet. The spines are actually modified leaves. Members of the Opuntia genus are unique because of their clusters of fine, tiny, barbed spines called glochids. Found just above the cluster of regular spines, glochids are yellow or red in color and detach easily from the pads. Glochids are often difficult to see and more difficult to remove, once lodged in the skin.
The fruits of most prickly pears are edible. The branches, the flat pads, are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are found in stores under the name nopalito. Prickly pear nectar is made with the juice and pulp and makes a wicked margarita. In addition to the yellow flowers seen here, you see red and purple frequently.
