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Wind Cave National ParkCactus
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Wind Cave National Park
Cacti - Plains Pricklypear
 
Plains Pricklypear - Opuntia polycantha
NPS Photo by Jim Pisarowicz
Plains Pricklypear - Opuntia polycantha
 
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.)
Shell-leaf Penstemon
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White Penstemon  

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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Last Updated: June 20, 2007 at 11:13 EST