Tulip Prickly Pear Flowers (Opuntia phaeacantha)
The Tulip Prickly Pear is a species of cactus belonging to the Opuntia genus in the family Cactaceae. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it thrives in desert and arid regions.
The flowers are bright yellow with a red center. In some regions occasional plants may produce flowers of other colors such as orange, pink, or magenta. The edible fruits are usually red or purple with a pink seedy flesh. The fruit has a mild watermelon or pear flavor. Both the fruit and the fleshy pads provide an important food resource for desert wildlife.
