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Pipestone National Monument Quartzite rock wall with quartzite rubble pile
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Pipestone National Monument
Cacti / Desert Succulents
Pricly Pear Cactus

NPS, G. Wagner

Prickly Pear Cactus

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
 

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Tallgrass prairie landscape with Big Bluestem Grass

Did You Know?
Pipestone National Monument is one of the few remaining areas of native tallgrass prairie. Over 400,000 square miles of tall grass prairie once covered the Midwest. Less than 1% of the original tall grass prairie remains today.
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Last Updated: July 28, 2006 at 11:45 MST