A History of the Prickly Pear Cactus
The other day, deep in the dunes of Jupiter (not the planet), we stumbled across an incredible natural sight. Soft and green, yet hard and dangerous. Foreboding and yet welcoming. Breathtaking and yet simple. Ordinary and yet spectacular. What else could I be talking about, except for the majestic prickly pear cactus.
Feast your eyes on this beautiful specimen, which I’m not even 1000% sure is a prickly pear because it doesn’t completely match the ones in Arizona.
Editor’s note: it is a prickly pear cactus. There’s just several species. Duh.
Having said that, it holds that same shape. A series of ping pong paddle type green…apparatuses that grow, one out of the other, upwards from two stalks on the ground.
On the stems, which I believe is the correct term for each of the paddles, grow spines or the start of spines. And those spines grow big. The ones in this picture, on this species, are about 2 inches long according to the eyeball test. This particular one is also home to a spider, which if you spot it, you get bonus points. Don’t spend them all in one place.
Above, stripped from google images, is a version of the cactus which actually bears fruit. It’s a little too sweet for my taste but these kind grow out in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson. There are several different species of Prickly Pear, also known as Opuntia scientifically, all over the place. They have even invaded southern Africa and Australia, much likes the armies of Genghis Khan once invaded Europe many ages ago. Some have said that their goal is to one day control and dominate the world, ruling it under an iron spine, while others suggest that simply a lack of natural pests and predators in these areas have allowed this species to thrive in foreign environments.
Back to the local one in Jupiter, observe the stems growing from up top. The ones that grow in Florida are knows as “Devil’s Tongue,” presumably because of the spines, but do grow yellow flowers with red-orange centers, like you see growing out of the top there. One day, when this plant is all grown up, maybe those flowers will be in full bloom. It will be sick. It’s a mystery how this plant actually converts that opening green spine to a flower, but I’m right here learning with you. That’s nature at it’s finest.
One more fun fact to leave you with — the pads, or paddle like things, are supposedly edible and are part of many Central American cuisines, and are called nopals. If you find yourself stuck in the desert, you know what to do. Please remove spines first.
Hopefully this brief article has left you all more aware of the world around you, and of a cool and slept on type of cactus. You are all now better humans for your knowledge. Go spread the word, and be free. And if you love what we do, follow on IG at theregrowthproject and donate on patreon.
