Overview of a species of prickly pear cactus, Opuntia sp., taken along the Tunnel Springs Loop trail Placitas, NM, in the Sandia Mountains. Photo taken 1 June 2003. Note the wonderful, colorful blooms. Fruits of the prickly pear cacti are often used for making jellies and are eaten by animals. Interesting background information on Opuntia and its uses can be found in a chapter by Stephen G. Reynolds and Enrique Arias in an FAO publication entitled, Cactus (Opuntia spp.) as Forage. Identifying prickly pear cacti to species is currently beyond our skills.

Close-up of flowers of a species of prickly pear cactus, Opuntia sp., taken along the Tunnel Springs Loop trail Placitas, NM, in the Sandia Mountains. Photo taken 1 June 2003. Aren't those flowers great!

Close-up of flowers of a species of prickly pear cactus, Opuntia sp., taken along the Tunnel Springs Loop trail Placitas, NM, in the Sandia Mountains. Photo taken 1 June 2003. Aren't those flowers great!

Close-up of glocids of a species of prickly pear cactus, Opuntia sp. These cacti have two kinds of spines, the bigger, obvious spines and these much smaller glocids, which are tiny barbed hairs. These are the really nasty ones that get in your fingers and other places. They're difficult to remove. See the Albuquerque Journal for an interesting piece.

Overview of a different species of prickly pear cactus, Opuntia sp., taken along the Tyuonyi Overlook Trail in Bandelier National Monument. Photo taken 25 October 2003.

Close-up of the spines and pads of a different species of prickly pear cactus, Opuntia sp., taken along the Tyuonyi Overlook Trail in Bandelier National Monument. Photo taken 25 October 2003.