I've had several different types of prickly pear cactus on this blog before. Today I'm showing you one that is called Bunny Ears Prickly Pear. Its official name is Optunia Microdasys. Instead of having thorny spines, it has something called glochids which are tiny, finely barbed, hair-like spines in little clusters. The glochids are easily detached and can lodge in the skin causing considerable irritation and discomfort. In spite of that danger, they certainly are nice to look at with their polka-dotted texture.
4 comments:
Nature is so fascinating, and it's beautifully displayed here in your photo. I'm struck by the systematic and perfect shape of each leaf (is it called a leaf?).
I agree totally - I love the texture in this photo.
You can see how they got their nickname. I am sorry to say I have gotten too close to these and it was quite uncomfortable.
Not as soft and cuddly as the name would imply. Pretty though, all the same.
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