Scientific Name: Opuntia engelmannii
?Flowers are yellow, orange, or reddish in color and last about one day
?Pollinated by bees and many other insects
?Fruits last several months and are eaten by birds and rodents
?Javelinas eat the pads
?Can become infested with cochineal insects which are used as red dye in food and cosmetics
?Native Americans eat fruit and used it for jelly, syrup, and drinks
?Native Americans apply the insides of pads to cuts and burns, pads and leaves are eaten as greens, and spines are used for needles 

Photo: Taken at Jewel of the Creek at Cave Creek on September 29, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

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