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IMG_7089: Opuntia humifusa - eastern prickly pear cactus

Opuntia humifusa, commonly known as the Eastern Prickly Pear or Indian Fig, is a native cactus found in parts of eastern North America. The green stems of this perennial cactus are flattened & segmented. Prickly pears are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike prickles called glochids, that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. The flowers are yellow to gold in color and are found along the margins of mature segments and sometimes have red centers. They measure 4-6 cm wide and bloom in the late spring.

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Uploaded on June 15, 2014
Taken on June 14, 2014