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| Blooming like crazy, huh? |
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| Amazing to see them in full bloom |
Prickly Pear Cactus have been a staple food of Native Americans for many centuries. Their large, colorful blossoms appear
in yellow, pink, red or purple and grow from the tip of cactus nodules, which later ripen into delicious red fruit. Many varieties
of prickly pear cactus grow wild throughout the deserts of the Southwest, but many are not native.
Some species of prickly pear cactus were introduced into North America from tropical America a number of centuries ago. The
fruit of these cultivated prickly pear cactus is a common delicacy in Mexico and is sold in markets as "tuna." While all prickly
pear cactus are of the genus Opuntia, the non-native Opuntia megacantha is one of the tastiest and most popular. Some native
species, especially those with
dark purple fruit, are not as flavorful.
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