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Opuntia polyacantha
Plains pricklypear cactus with something growing on them. I received a suggestion that they were cochineal insects which are the source of carmine dye used as a food coloring and in cosmetics. I had never seen this before!
Growing on a dry hillside with sagebrush, Utah juniper and various grasses and herbs.
The inside of this cactus is edible and tastes like cucumber. Make sure you get all of the spines off it first though!
Spotted on Jul 29, 2009
Submitted on Feb 17, 2012
2 Comments
Awesome! I really wasn't sure what they were.
they could be cochineal, the source of carmine dye http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal