The desert landscape may initially seem like a place which is drab and sparse; but look closely to see a vibrant ecosystem — and the prickly pear cactus is only one example of colorful flora which survives in such a harsh environment.
Prickly Pear Cactus. Sunday Morning Photograph.
Known by the genus opuntia, prickly pear cacti are native to North America and South America and are subdivided into dozens of species, with greater than 90 of them within the United States. Although they can be found from southern Connecticut to Florida to the Caribbean islands, the habitat for which they are best known to be found is in the vast deserts of the American west.
The flowers of a prickly pear cactus can be a variety of colors — including green, yellow, red, and pink.
Final Boarding Call
Did you know that most states in the United States have at least one native species of opuntia in them?
The purpose of the weekly series of Sunday Morning Photograph articles is to feature photographs from my travels around the world which you can view while enjoying your morning coffee.
Please click here for a complete list of the Sunday Morning Photograph series of articles at The Gate With Brian Cohen, which include photographs taken of nature and sights of interest in many countries and territories around the world — including but not limited to:
Andorra • Argentina • Bahamas • Bahrain • Belarus • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • China • Chile • Colombia • Cyprus — including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus • Czechia or Czech Republic • Denmark • Dominican Republic • Egypt • England in Great Britain in the United Kingdom • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Kenya • Latvia • Lebanon • Lesotho • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malaysia • Morocco • Mozambique • Netherlands • Oman • Panama • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Singapore • Slovenia • South Africa • South Korea • Spain • Swaziland or Eswatini • Sweden • Switzerland • Thailand • United Arab Emirates • United States of America • Uruguay
All photographs ©2023 by Brian Cohen.
