Cacti and Desert Succulents

Prickly pear cacti flower in late spring; fruits ripen at the end of summer.

NPS

To many people, the word "desert" invokes images of a sun-baked, sandy, and rock-strewn landscape, where only cacti will grow. While it is true that cacti can be found in all of the worlds' deserts, they can also be found in all of the lower forty-eight states. Cacti evolved from plants that grew in more moist environments and exhibit a wide variety of adaptations that have allowed them to thrive in the face of changing conditions.

Visitors to the Verde Valley will see a variety of cacti, including species of prickly pear, cholla, and hedgehog cactus. Ground-hugging species such as hedgehog and prickly pear flower much earlier in the spring than the stately saguaros found farther south.

Cacti are opportunistic plants when it comes to capturing rainfall. Most have shallow taproots, but very well-developed lateral root systems near the surface that can take advantage of what little rain falls in the valley. Succulents, including cacti, swell with water during rainfall. This is a significant advantage for plants in dry environments, but it can be a disadvantage at times to large cacti, such as the saguaro, because they can tip over if they get too heavy. Cacti have also developed mechanisms to deter any loss of moisture. The prickly pear grows pads at angles that reduce direct exposure to the rays of the sun. Spines also provide a little shade, reduce the desiccating effects of the wind, and deter animals that may otherwise try to eat the plant. Hedgehog cacti are often found sheltered at the base of mesquite trees where shade and wind protection is available.

In the Southwest, the prickly pear cactus has a long history of use, from prehistoric times up to the present day. In the spring, the young pads, called "nopalitos", are harvested and eaten before the spines harden. In the late summer, the fruits, called "tunas", are collected and can be eaten uncooked or serve as the main ingredient in jellies. The pads have been used medicinally in the treatment of burns and cuts.