The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center created the National Wildflower Week back in 1987. It is the first whole week of May celebrating “the beauty and importance of native wildflowers across the United States,” as the Center writes. Although several wildflowers are blooming, I decided to feature the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia lindheimeri) for this post.
Around April and May, these cacti begin to bloom and can be seen just about anywhere in the state. One interesting fact about them is that they are only native to North America. If you see them on other continents, it is because of human interference in transplanting those cacti there.
Besides the beauty of the flowers, these cacti are also edible. See the fruits in the photo here. They can be used in appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, vegetable dishes, breads, desserts, beverages, candy, jelly, and drinks. You might have heard of or tasted nopales or nopalitos in Mexican restaurants. Those are made from the cactus pads (the green “leaves” to which the flowers are attached).
These cacti can grow up to five feet (1.5 m) tall. According to the Wildflower Center, the flowers are 2-5 inches (5-12.5 cm) across. The flower’s beauty is quite striking when you run into a field of these cacti or even in one cactus plant. They are wonderful for pollinators, too, as you can see in the opening image.
The top three photos were captured at Colorado Bend SP. The fourth image is around my neighborhood, and the closing field of Texas Prickly Pear cacti was captured at the Pecan Springs Karst Preserve.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in others featuring Cacti, Colorado Bend SP, FOTD, Parks, Pecan Springs Karst Preserve, Prickly Pear Cactus, Teravista, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For Cee’s FOTD.
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restlessjo
Gorgeous! We have them here too xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. Those flowers are wonderful. Glad you can enjoy them, too.
Amy
Beautiful cactus photos, Egidio! Lovely bright colors. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Amy. They bloom so intensely right now.
SoyBend
Nice photo! Their flower is so delicate compared to their spiky leaves. We have several in our yard.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Siobhan. I think that contrast you mentioned is what makes the flowers more attractive to my eye.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful Egidio! It’s like the cactus is saying stay away from me, I’m busy making these beautiful blossoms.
Egidio Leitao
I’m always careful getting close to cacti because I hear that same warning. Thanks.
Toonsarah
Very striking flowers!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah.
Alison
Beautiful flowers from an ugly plant 😊
Egidio Leitao
Allison, it’s a very menacing plant. One needs to approach the cactus carefully. Thanks.