Stunning Winter-Hardy Cactus: The Opuntia

OPUNTIA, COMMONLY KNOWN as prickly pear, is a large genus encompassing many species, most of which are native to the deserts of western North America. We residents of the West often take prickly pears for granted: stepping over and walking around them while hiking, hunting, or sightseeing. They may command a little more respect when a hiker comes across an opuntia in flower. The silky, colorful blossoms are stunning and often trembling with visiting pollinators.