Prickly Pear

A shrub that grows up to 5 m in height, forming a sturdy trunk with age. Leaves are fleshy, entire with needles and irritant hairs. Flowers are about 7 cm long, yellow or orange, and are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees. The fruit is a berry, containing several hard seeds embedded in a tasty pulp. In Malta, a liqueur called "Bajtra" is made from this fruit. The shrub is also used as a natural agricultural fence surrounding crop fields or animal enclosures.