XPrickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia macrorhiza)X
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Prickly Pear Cactus -or- Twist-Spine Prickly Pear -or- Paddle Cactus (Opuntia macrorhiza), family Cactaceae (Cactus)
This species is one of about 200 others in the genus Opuntia and are perennials. Members of this species are native to the North Americas. The plants have male and female parts and are pollinated mostly by insects. They are a popular inclusion in cultivated rock gardens. As well distributed as they are, the plants are placed in endangered status in the state of Iowa. In Arizona the two variants are protected from salvage: Opuntia macrorhiza var. macrorhiza -and- Opuntia macrorhiza var. pottsii. Per WIKIPEDIA, 'Opuntia spreads into large clonal colonies, which contributes to the fact that it is considered a noxious weed in some places'. In fact, the plants were introduced to Australia where they so quickly spread they became an invasive problem that rendered 15,000 miles of farm land unproductive.
USES:
The history of uses of this species is long and distinct. They include edible, medical, alcoholic, and even cultural. Native American uses include: Navajo, Ramah Cactus spines formerly used to pierce ears and lance small skin abscesses. Stem roasted and material used to lubricate midwife's hand for placenta removal. Fruit dried and boiled, eaten raw. Fruit harvested for winter use. From the Colorado State University Extension website are the following uses by the Pueblo tribes: 'Fruits and pads were gathered and singed over fire to remove spines before eating; glochids (short bristle-like spines) may be removed by rubbing with a cloth; pads are mucilaginous (gummy/glutinous) and were probably combined with other foods. As a Fiber/Dye: dried, ground fruit was combined with water and dried beeplant to make a reddish dye used to "polish" moccasins and dye thread and weaving fiber'. End quote.
FunFact: From WIKIPEDIA: The coat of arms of Mexico depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon an Opuntia cactus, devouring a rattlesnake. According to the official history of Mexico, the coat of arms is inspired by an Aztec legend regarding the founding of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs, then a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a divine sign that would indicate the precise spot upon which they were to build their capital. Their god Huitzilopochtli had commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, perched atop a cactus that grew on a rock submerged in a lake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in the swampy Lake Texcoco. It was there they founded their new capital, Tenochtitlan.
Flower -
Plant location: Clear Creek Trail in Colorado on May 29, 2009. This species is fairly well distributed in the United States: AR, AZ, CO, IA, ID, IL, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, OH, OK, SD, TX, UT, WI, WY. It can be found in grasslands, open woods, mesas, ridges, rocky slopes, and dry plains areas with an elevation up to about 7,000'.Plant -
Bloom season: May and June.
Note, per the Colorado State University Extension website: Species Characteristics: joints with sparse spines; flat joint surface wrinkled transversely; spines white with dark bases. What appear to be cactus species leaves are actually stems which have evolved to avoid drought; true leaves of cacti, for those species that have them, are tiny appendages seen in spring which are early deciduous (fall off). End quoteFoliage -
Clear Creek Trail, Colorado - May 29, 2009
Another plant view. -
Clear Creek Trail, Colorado - May 29, 2009
Flower tube with shoot leaves, usually called ?scales? or ?bracts?. For more detailed information on cactus flower botany see The University of Texas website - Section of Integrative Biology - by James D. Mauseth - visit here. -
Clear Creek Trail, Colorado - May 29, 2009
Additional plant view. -
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Clear Creek Trail, Colorado - May 29, 2009
Flower petals are almost translucent. -
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Clear Creek Trail, Colorado - May 29, 2009
Macro view of stamens. -
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Clear Creek Trail, Colorado - May 29, 2009
Flower and tube -