Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia is a standout in the cactus community for its brightly-colored fruit. The prickly pear usually grows in thick, tangled groups and can be found all over San Diego County. These cacti are tough, tolerating cold conditions and growing in many types of habitats. The "pear" comes in different colors: pink, red, green and even yellow. The fruit is delicious, but tricky to eat since it must be peeled carefully to remove the spines.