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Project Noah Nature School
Opuntia engelmannii
About 3 feet high and grow in large, dense clumps. The pads are oblong and about 6"wide and 10"long. The glochids (needles) are about 2" in length.
This plant was found near a small dry pond area that appeared to be seasonal. Surround by an open prarie dotted with meskeet trees and other clumps of cacti.
Fruit is edible and used by Native American Tribes for sustenance and medicinal purposes. Can be used for jellies and added to soups for spice - I, however, do not care for prickly pear in any form!
Spotted on Feb 21, 2013
Submitted on Feb 27, 2013
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