Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia sp.)
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The only cactus that is living within the HPG is a small remnant patch of prickly pear on the edge of the cultivated plantings. Although this cactus can be a problem on rangeland, it does not do particularly well in a forested setting and the plants within the Garden are gradually getting overgrown and starting to receive too much shade. Even grasses and other tall weeds can be enough to cause the cactus pads to start dying, after which they slowly rot. The process is slow, and the plants continue to hold on, but don't grow much. A large number of insects and other arthropods live in and around cactus plants, some of which do not associate with any other species.
The top photo shows a bud and opening flower. Opuntia blossoms open for just one day. They can range in color from yellow to red.
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The photo above shows a fully opened prickly pear blossom. The edible fruits are shown below.
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class: Magnoliopsida / order: Caryophyllales / family: Cactaceae / genus: Opuntia / species: various
| site by larvalbug |
