Cactus with large, flattened segments covered in spines, which produces yellow/pink/red flowers and greenish fleshy fruits, called tunas. Once the spines are removed – by roasting, rubbing, or careful plucking – all parts are edible, as both Plains Indians and settlers knew. The paddles may be eaten raw but were most often fried; the fruits may be split, dried, and eaten plain or added to soups or stews, or their sweet juices turned into candies (still popular in the American Southwest.)
Did You Know?
White Penstemon is the most widespread penstemon or beardtonue in the Great Plains. The insides of the blossoms are bearded and often spotted with purple.
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