Prickly Pear Cactus

Description:

Like all true cactus species, prickly pears are native only to the Western hemisphere; however, they have been introduced to other parts of the globe (Wikipedia). Spotted this cactus at Montezuma Castle National Monument, near Camp Verde, Arizona.

Habitat:

Montezuma Castle National Monument, near Camp Verde, Arizona.

Notes:

The fruit of prickly pears, commonly called cactus fruit, cactus fig, Indian fig or tuna in Spanish, is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. If the outer layer is not properly removed, glochids can be ingested, causing discomfort of the throat, lips, and tongue, as the small spines are easily lodged in the skin. Native Americans, like the Tequesta, would roll the fruit around in a suitable medium (e.g. grit) to "sand" off the glochids. Alternatively, rotating the fruit in the flame of a campfire or torch has been used to remove the glochids. Today, parthenocarpic (seedless) cultivars are also available. Cactus figs are often used to make candies, jelly, or drinks such as vodka or lemonade. Wikipedia