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Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia

Photo by Edith
Published on Project Noah
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32.2217, -110.926

Field Notes

Description:

A magical plant, Prickly pear cactus yields foods that are good for you. People have been using the fruit and pads of prickly pear cactus for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.

The prickly pear fruit is a rich source of the mineral magnesium and the amino acid taurine, nutrients often cited as important to brain and heart health. It's also rich in flavonoids, antioxidants credited with keeping arteries healthy.

Habitat:

Prickly pear cactus are found in all of the deserts of the American Southwest.

Notes:

Prickly Pear Margarita is an excellent Martini cocktail made from the prickly pear cactus fruit. Cheers!!

Species ID Suggestions

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Photographed
PublishedFebruary 15, 2011

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