Engelmann Prickly Pear
Opuntia englemannii
Observed along First Water Trail, Superstition Mountains, Arizona, 9 May 2009. Notice that nearby a Green Lynx is ready to pounce on any bee that might be drawn to the nectar and pollen.
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This Prickly Pear, Opuntia sp., was photographed in the Goldfield Mts. near Apache Junction, Arizona on Aug. 3rd, 2002. When rain is too scarce the plants will shrivel and die back.
FLOWERS: Large, clear yellow flowers. The buds prior to
opening will appear red-tinged. Numerous stamens with abundant pollen.
JOINTS: The flattened stem joints are slightly oblong in
outline and often form an upright, shrubby plant.
SPINES: The spines are long and the major central spines tend
to be nearly white. Minute spines called glochids are abundant.
SUCCULENT: Medium-height prickly pear with pads sometimes
reaching more than 1½ meter above
ground level.
RANGE: Found mostly in the upland Sonoran Desert. Becomes more
abundant in response to heavy grazing by cattle.
FRUIT: At maturity the fruit is a plump, red pear beset with
many minute spines and numerous hard seeds inside.
Cactaceae - Cactus Family
This pair of Narnia bugs is mating upon a mature fruit of Opuntia engelmannii at Mesquite Wash, Mazatzal Mountains, Arizona. 24 Aug. 2008. Their feeding may damage the developing seeds and reduce germination percentage.