Flowers of the Southwest Deserts

by Natt N. Dodge

Common names: PRICKLYPEAR, (TUNA), BEAVERTAIL Arizona desert: (Opuntia engelmanni). Yellow. April-June. California desert: (Opuntia basilaris). Magenta. March-April. Texas desert: (Opuntia engelmanni). Yellow. May-July. Cactus family. Size: Clumps, sometimes 5 feet high and 10 feet in diameter.

The flattened pods, or stem joints, of the Pricklypears growing, as they do, in huge clumps make them the best known of the Cacti throughout the West. There are many species found throughout the United States, but the plants reach their greatest size and luxuriant growth in the desert areas of the Southwest. The large, red to purple and mahogany, juicy, pear-shaped fruits are known as tunas, and are eaten by many animals as well as by the native peoples. Flowers are large and spectacular.

Although a number of species of Pricklypears are found in all of the desert areas, O. engelmanni with its bright yellow flowers is the commonest form in both the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, while the Beavertail cactus with its magenta flowers and lack of large spines is the common and spectacular form of the Mohave Desert.

Pricklypears are increasing in parts of the desert where conditions are favorable, especially where heavy grazing has given them an advantage over plants that are favorable to livestock.

YELLOW

Ferocactus wislizeni

Common names: BARREL CACTUS, COMPASS CACTUS, DEVILSHEAD CACTUS, (BISNAGA), (BISNAGRE) Arizona desert: (Ferocactus wislizeni). Orange-yellow. July-September. California desert: (Ferocactus acanthodes). Yellow. March-May. Texas desert: (Echinocactus horizonthalonius). Rose-pink. May-June. Cactus family. Size: 2 to 8 feet high.

Well known among the desert figures are the heavy-bodied Barrel Cacti which are sometimes pointed out as sources of water for travelers suffering from thirst. Under extreme conditions, it is possible to hack off the tops of these tough, spine-protected plants and obtain, by squeezing the macerated tissues, enough juice to sustain life.

Growing faster on the shaded side, the taller-growing plants tend to lean toward the south, hence the name “Compass” cactus. Flowers range in color from yellow to orange and rose-pink, depending on the species, and the pale yellow, egg-shaped fruits which ripen early in the winter, are a favorite food of deer and rodents. Flowers, and the resulting fruits, form a ring around the crown of the plant.