Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha)

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Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha)

Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha)

Castlewood Canyon (June 2012) Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha) is a succulent, perennial shrub found in sunny prairie grasslands and on dry hillsides at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,500 feet. Prickly pear cacti are easy to identify because there are limited numbers of cacti of its size in Colorado. It is forms clumps of oval pads, each of which can grow to be six centimeters long and contain rows of sharp spines. Its flowers bloom copper, yellow, or pink in May and June
Senad Rizvanovic
on Jun 11, 2012 9:46 am
Image Type(s): Flora,  Scenery
Image ID: 794679

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lcarreau

lcarreau - Jun 12, 2012 12:16 am - Voted 10/10

Not bad ...

In Arizona, the "fruits" of the prickly pear
are processed and used in prickly pear ice cream.

You can also make a sticky jelly out of them.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for more!

Senad Rizvanovic

Senad Rizvanovic - Jun 12, 2012 10:35 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Not bad ...

Well, when things comes down to cactus Arizona always wins :)

samira - Jun 12, 2012 12:29 am - Hasn't voted

Hi

I like cactus. Some people say, it is very ugly
but I say, it is very beautiful.

Senad Rizvanovic

Senad Rizvanovic - Jun 12, 2012 10:34 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Hi

Aamazing cactus facts
• The tallest cactus is Pachycereus pringlei, with a maximum recorded height of 63ft.
• The smallest is Blossfeldia liliputana which is about .375 in in diameter at maturity.
• A fully grown saguaro can absorb up to 660 gallons of water in 10 days.
• When cultivating cactuses, the single biggest cause of plant loss is overwatering.

EricChu

EricChu - Jun 12, 2012 1:59 pm - Voted 10/10

Very nice one!

Congrats on POTD, Senad - and I like this photo very much! Beautiful light and colors!
Cheers,
Eric

Senad Rizvanovic

Senad Rizvanovic - Jun 12, 2012 2:52 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Very nice one!

Thanks Eric! This canyon is close to my house, great bird watching place as well.

http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/castlewoodcanyon/Pages/CastlewoodCanyonHome.aspx

Sarah Simon

Sarah Simon - Jun 12, 2012 2:19 pm - Voted 10/10

Beautiful perspective

You've got a great eye for capturing memorable images of nature!

Sarah

Senad Rizvanovic

Senad Rizvanovic - Jun 12, 2012 2:54 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Beautiful perspective

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Cheers!

Viewing: 1-8 of 8