• Artist George Catlin recorded the quarrying activity at the pipestone quarries in 1836

    Pipestone

    National Monument Minnesota

Cacti / Desert Succulents

Pricly Pear Cactus

Prickly Pear Cactus

NPS, G. Wagner

The Pipestone National Monument's Sioux quartzite prairie supports two species of cacti. The rocky outcrops and shallow soil along the cliffline areas provide the Plains Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia macrorhiza) with a niche with little competition for resources. The Prickly Pear cactus blooms for a short time in early July, displaying beautiful and fragile looking yellow flowers.


Family
Common Name Scientific Name
Cactaceae
Prickly Pear Opuntia macrorhiza
Brittle Prickly Pear Opuntia fragilis

Did You Know?

A quarrier working in his quarry pit

Pipestone is located about 12-17 feet below the ground, between layers of quartzite rock. Only hand tools are used to quarry the stone at Pipestone National Monument. More...