Cacti and Desert Succulents

To many people, the word "desert" invokes images of a sun-baked, sand and rock-strewn landscape, where only cacti will grow. While it is true that cacti can be found in all of the world's deserts, cacti can also be found in almost all of the lower 48 states. Cacti have evolved from plants that originally grew in more moist environments and exhibit a wide variety of adaptations that have allowed them to exist in the face of changing environmental conditions.

 

Strawberry hedgehog cacti bloom in the spring, after most of the wildflowers.

Penny Wagner

Visitors to the monuments in the Verde Valley will see an assemblage of cacti including species of prickly pear, cholla, and hedgehog cacti. Cacti produce flowers based in part on the ambient ground temperature. Ground-hugging species such as hedgehog and prickly pear flower much earlier than the stately saguaro. Cacti are opportunistic plants when it comes to capturing rainfall. Most have shallow taproots, but very well-developed lateral root systems near the surface of the ground that can take advantage of any rain that falls. This can be a disadvantage at times to large cacti, such as the saguaro, in that they can tip over if they engorge with enough water. Cacti not only are efficient at capturing moisture, but have also developed mechanisms to deter any loss of moisture. The prickly pear grows pads at angles that reduce direct exposure to the sun. Spines provide limited shade and reduce the dessicating effects of the wind. Spines also deter animals from utilizing the moisture contained within the cactus. Hedgehog cacti will often be found sheltered at the base of mesquite trees where shade and wind protection is available.

 

Prickly pear with ripe tunas.

NPS Photo / Lauren Reid

Engelmann's Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii)

In the Southwest, the prickly pear cactus has a long history of use by the native inhabitants, 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 used as picked or serve as the main ingredient in jellies. Prickly pear fruit remains a popular local flavor today. Although it may not look like it, the fruits are covered in tiny spines that are difficult to remove from unsuspecting hands. Remember to appreciate these plants from a distance, but do not touch them. Prickly pear pads have been used medicinally in the treatment of cuts and burns, since they contain a mucilgenous substance similar to the mucopolysaccharide hydrogel found between the cells of the body. The polysaccharides help strengthen the hydrogel after it has been damaged.

 

Hedgehog cactus in bloom

Photo by Sue Carnahan

Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus spp.)

You don't have to know Latin to guess the meaning of this plant's scientific name: echino means spiny. In spite of its many thorns, numerous species of animals enjoy different parts of this cactus. It's pink, red, or magenta flowers are a favorite of local hummingbirds. The fruits taste similar to strawberries and are eaten by birds, rodents, and people. It is a low growing succulent native to the southwestern United States.

 

Desert Christmas cactus

Photo by Max Lichter

Desert Christmas Cactus (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis)

Around December, the cranberry-sized fruit of this cactus turns a festive bright red. The fruits are crushed and made into jam or mixed into a beverage with an intoxicating effect. Like other cacti, the fruits are covered in tiny spines that are difficult to remove from your skin. In summer, a burst of flowers appears in soft hues of yellow, bronze, and green.

 

Banana yucca

NPS Photo / Rachel Wilkin

Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Banana yucca (pronounced "YUCK-a") is one of two yucca species seen at Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well. It gets its name from the banana-shaped fruits it produces in the summer. While other yucca species may have flexible, smaller leaves, the leaves of the banana yucca are stiff and sharp. Yuccas were used for a variety of things by the Sinagua and other tribes. The roots contain saponin, a compound that can be used to make soap. Yucca fibers were used to make rope, thread, and sandals. The shape of the yucca also allows the plant to hold onto organic material and help prevent erosion. They also provide microhabitats for small animals like lizards, rodents, and insects.