Prickly Pear buds - National Parks Gallery

The prickly pear has long, sharp spines that protrude from the flat, fleshy, green-colored pads. With a tendency to grow quickly and at odd angles, the pads are actually the stems of the plant. Most often, the flowers are red, yellow, or purple with each flower yielding one fruit.

The fruits of most Prickly pear are edible. The branches (pads) are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The juice of the fruit can be used to make jelly, conserve, marmalade or as a salad dressing. Mixing the juice with 7-Up or ginger ale will give you a drink similar to a Shirley Temple. The fruit can be used in pies or dried as a snack food.