We have several varieties of prickly pear cacti growing in the neighborhood, but none on our property. I have imported several cuttings which are just about ready to transplant from their pots into the ground west of the house. We hope to form a boundary along the west property line consisting of several varieties which we have in pots.
The cactus in the photograph is growing near old downtown Wickenburg. The pears on this cactus look just about ready to harvest. Someday, I hope to harvest our own pears and experiment with making jellies, syrups and whatever else we might think of. Click on the image to enlarge.
Are they edible by themselves, or just used to make stuff?
Im not sure. I think you can make syrup and jam out of them. Haven’t tried making either. Maybe I’ll try to next season.
My Texas pear has fruit. Guess i’d better call my sister for the Prickly Pear Margarita recipe. 😉
Yes, drjim, they’re edible all by their lonesomes. They’re better as jellies and such, though.
Cool.
I wikipedia’d them, and turns out they make some pretty potent “Adult Beverages” with them, too.