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metal prints spring metal prints flowers still life metal prints flower metal prints cactus metal prints prickly pear metal prints cactus flower metal prints yellow metal prints bloom metal prints blossom metal prints texas metal prints macro metal prints spikes metal prints thorns metal prints

photographs spring photos flowers still life photos flower photos cactus photos prickly pear photos cactus flower photos yellow photos bloom photos blossom photos texas photos macro photos spikes photos thorns photos

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Spring in west Texas brings an abundance of beautiful cactus blooms. Prickly pear cactus represent about a dozen species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactaceae) in the North American deserts. All have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves. The pads are actually modified branches or stems that serve several functions -- water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. Chollas are also members of the Opuntia genus but have cylindrical, jointed stems rather than flat pads. The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name "tuna." Prickly pear branches (the pads) are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They, too, are sold in stores under the name "Nopalito." Prickly pear cactus are found in all of the deserts of the American Southwest, with different species having adapted to different locale and elevation ranges. Most require coarse, well-drained soil in dry, rocky flats or slopes. But some prefer mountain pinyon/juniper forests, while others req...