Engelmann's Prickly Pear is one of the most common and conspicuous cacti of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts, forming large shrubby clumps up to 5 feet tall with broad blue-green pads. It bears large, showy yellow flowers in spring that can span 3 inches across, and produces abundant red-purple fruits — called tunas — that are eaten fresh or used to make jelly and juice. The plant is a critical food and water source for desert wildlife during dry periods and supports specialist cactus bees.
Best time to see a Engelmann's Prickly Pear
The best time to see a Engelmann's Prickly Pear is January–May, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,436 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Engelmann's Prickly Pear sightings near you
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