13 miles (21 km) north of Dumas and 54 miles (87 km) north of Amarillo is Cactus.
What is the specialty of Texas cactus?
If you’re a native Texan who has been to any northern section of the country and encountered a local who asked where you’re from, you’ve probably already encountered this inquiry: “So did you ride your horse to school?
I’m a native Texan who attended college for two years in Iowa. You have no idea how frequently people ask me questions like this! “Well, did you ride your tractor to school? “, I would ask. I was shocked to learn that Iowa actually had a “driving your tractor to school day.” Stereotypes are not all made equal.
The Saguaro Cactus
One of the MANY clichés we Texans encounter on a daily basis is that of transportation by horse. There is one Texas stereotype that I guarantee the majority of you reading this have never heard of or even knew existed! The saguaro cactus, that is.
Not Native but Still Here
But the saguaro cactus tale is more complicated than you might realize, and it may be the biggest botanical myth ever. It turns out that Texas is not the saguaro cactus’ native habitat. Professor Kendall Gerdes from Texas Tech University started the campaign to eradicate the use of this well-known stereotype by posing the question, “Why do Texans utilize saguaro cacti as a symbol of all things Texas when they don’t grow here?” to West Texas Wonders.
Only the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona, along with some areas of California and New Mexico, is home to the saguaro cactus. The saguaro, which is pronounced “sah-wah-roh,” is the biggest cactus in the country and has a lifespan of more than 200 years. It’s simple to see why this cactus has gained such notoriety and notoriety throughout the years, particularly when it comes to desert-like environments like West Texas.
Even little Texas towns like Dryden have planted and grown their own private supply of the famous Saguaro cactus! Therefore, even though it is not native to Texas, there are examples of it growing in our lovely state.
A New Prickly Hero Emerges
It might be time, nevertheless, for Texans to honor our actual native cactus companion, the prickly pear!
In addition to making a fantastic margarita flavor, prickly pears are also the most typical cactus in Texas. This cactus, which is sometimes referred to as the “original yellow rose of Texas, blooms lovely yellow flowers that are reminiscent of Spanish roses and eventually develop into tasty red fruit called “tuna.” The fruit and the pads are both edible. The prickly pear cactus was declared the state plant of Texas on May 25, 1995, yet it has yet to gain the respect and reputation it really deserves.
Perhaps it’s time to formally replace the saguaro as the iconic, recognizable cacti for the wonderful state of Texas with the prickly pear, just like we’ve done with the other notorious Texas clichés.
The prickly pear’s “…position as both a vegetable and a fruit make it singularly qualified to embody the tenacious and unique Texas character as an official state symbol,” according to our state senate, best explains it.
What is Texas cactus made of?
Important Cactus
- Museum Window on the Plains Museums with a focus.
- Vingo Wineries Vineyards and wineries.
- Museum XIT Museums with a focus.
- Specialty and gift shops can be found in The Flying Pig Boutique.
- Theaters, La Rita Theater
- The Market’s Objective. Markets for produce.
- Golf club at Twisted Elms. Golf facilities.
- Abates the National Monument to the Flint Quarries.
Does San Antonio have cacti?
Cactus are typically associated with green, spiky plants, but when you go around San Antonio, you’ll see that many of the landscaping designs for homes and restaurants have cacti without spikes. How do cactus lose their spines, though?
According to Jimmy Black, president of the San Antonio Cactus and Xerophyte Society, there are some species of cactus that do not generate spikes, or spines as they are known, simply because evolution has not required them to.
What is the nickname for Texas?
The “Lone Star State” moniker refers to Texas. Texas’s moniker honors the Lone Star flag, which was used after the state gained its independence from Mexico in 1836.
Is Texas cactus edible?
Even the most prickly Texas natives bloom during this time of year. The prickly pear cactus is most notable in the Highland Lakes. Look around between April and June to see the Texas state flower’s large blossoms spreading out. These lovely creatures are plentiful in the Hill Country and perfectly balance the region’s rough topography.
The scientific name of the prickly pear is opuntia lindheimeri, which pays homage to Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer, who is regarded as the “Texas Botany’s founder. The plant is also known as a nopal prickly pear and a Lindheimer prickly pear. The prickly pear can produce white blooms in addition to its typical yellow, yellow-orange, or red flowers.
In 1995, Texas formally designated the prickly pear as its official state tree. The appeal of the cactus is encapsulated in House Concurrent Resolution No. 44: “The prickly pear cactus is uniquely qualified to represent the indomitable and proud spirit of Texas because it is tough, adaptable, and aesthetically distinctive. It has made numerous contributions to the landscape, cuisine, and character of the Lone Star State.
The tuna, or fruit, is the reddish-purple portion of the prickly pear cactus. Employee image by Jennifer Greenwell
The plant can be eaten in its entirety. Bees are enamored with the abundant pollen from the blossoms, and cattle, people, and bees all eat the plant.
Consider this if you find it difficult to picture yourself eating cactus: It is not only edible but also a staple food for several Mexicans and a well-liked element in Texas food. Typically, local grocery stores’ fresh produce sections will have it. Spanish for “nopal” is “cactus,” “nopales” is the name for the stem or “pad” of the cactus, and “nopalitos” is the name for fried cactus. Nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants are abundant in the cactus pads and fruit.
Nopales, the plant’s leaves, are consumed as a vegetable. It is thought that younger nopales taste better than older ones. After the spines are removed, nopales are sliced and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, grilling, boiling, sautéing, frying, pickling, and making jerky. They can also be consumed raw. The flavor is reminiscent of green beans.
When ripe, the prickly pear’s fruit, known as tuna, becomes scarlet or purple. The tuna is atop the striking blossoms. The fish ripen once the blossoms have fallen off. A ripe tuna has been compared to watermelon in terms of flavor. The fruit is seedy and has many different ways to be eaten. The fruit needs to be peeled before being consumed fresh (simply spit out the seeds), or it can be mashed, boiled, and strained to make juice, jelly, wine, syrup, or tuna cheese (a fruit butter).
Nopales (pads) and tuna (fruit) were foraged from a prickly pear cactus. Both pieces can be eaten. Employee image by Jennifer Greenwell
You can forage for nopales and tuna in addition to buying them from your grocery store. Here are some crucial considerations to bear in mind if you choose to select your own:
- Respect the law, the land, the plant, and oneself by practicing foraging ethics. With permission, forage. Return the land to its previous state after your visit. Use a blade rather than cutting them off when removing nopal or tuna off a plant to lessen the strain on the plant. Before consuming a plant, make sure you can recognize it.
- Wearing gloves during prickly pear foraging requires extreme caution. Glochids, which are small, inconspicuous barbs that resemble hair and are present on even the “spineless form of prickly pear cactus, are frequently far worse than the prick of a spine because they easily embed in skin and are challenging to remove.
- It is crucial to remove every spine and glochid from cactus components before eating them since they represent a serious risk if consumed. The tuna and nopales can be peeled using these simple procedures for removing the spines and glochids.
Can you pick cactus in Texas?
at Texas. Texas state law stipulates that anyone planning to collect cacti on private property must first have the landowner’s prior written consent. Keep in mind that removing anything from private property without permission is considered vandalism at the very least and theft at the very most!
Where are Texas’ large cacti located?
All year long, cacti are gorgeous. However, they can astonish us in the spring with abundant yellow, red, and pink blossoms that are quite stunning. These native Texas plants, which may be found everywhere from the Hill Country to the Western deserts, begin to bloom in color in April and continue to be stunning through May or, if they are lucky, even into June.
Of all the native cactus, prickly pear or the yellow rose of Texas may be the most well-known. The state flower is abundant across the Hill Country, but is particularly abundant in the Highland Lakes area. The southwest region of the state also has a lot of it. It typically has yellow, yellow-orange, and occasionally even red and white flowers in bloom. In addition to being attractive, prickly pear cacti are also edible. A common ingredient in Southwestern food can be eaten raw or cooked to produce juice, jelly, or even wine.
Echinocactus texensis, often known as the horse crippler, is a sizable round cactus with a circumference of around 12 inches (30 cm). It is well renowned for its surprisingly delicate pink or peach blossoms, which often start to bloom in the late spring.
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, often known as the hedgehog cactus, is a common type that many people plant indoors. It has bright red or pink flowers that bloom in late May or early June.
The pineapple cactus, also known as a little nipple cactus, is just 6 inches (15 cm) broad. In March, this early bloomer displays a sizable solitary yellow blossom. From north to south, this species is widespread over the entire state. There are Yucca cactus all around Texas, especially in May when they bloom with tall clusters of cream blooms.
Another lovely cactus that resembles more of a tree and grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall is the cholla. It is widespread in West Texas and blooms in May and early June with exquisite hot pink flowers.
In West Texas, the Big Bend National Park is the greatest location to see blooming cactuses. In the spring, the region beside the Rio Grande is very beautiful. Another great location is Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Additionally, Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a large collection of native flora.
Cactus can be found in Amarillo, Texas.
Since Amarillo doesn’t have a lot of vegetation, when a variety of vibrant plants are observed blossoming in the Northwest Texas town, you know we have to take a picture. Your journey will take you to a cactus paradise thanks to this flower-filled greenhouse in Amarillo. There are more than 20 different plant varieties available at Chaparral Cactus & Succulents.
The greenhouse specializes in succulents that do well in tropical and cold climates, as well as shrubs and grasses. Due to the potential for a limited water supply in the Texas Panhandle, the store assists customers in choosing the ideal plants that would flourish there. You’ll be astounded by the sheer amount of flowering cacti when you visit the greenhouse.
The shop’s abundance of green is ideal for a spur-of-the-moment photo session. Everything you would need for your new plant is available at the greenhouse, which is open throughout most of the year. No matter how much space you have at home, they are sure to have a plant that suits your style because they carry both large and little plants.
In which state are there the most cacti?
Only a few hardy species of opuntia and escobaria are present in almost every US state and southern Canadian province, although they are much more common in the southwest’s arid areas. Cacti are prevalent in six US states, including (roughly) the following: Arizona (83), California (35), New Mexico (56), Nevada (26), Utah (34) and Texas (91).
The Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mojave deserts correspond to the lower elevations and southernmost places where the densest populations can be found. The hottest part of the Sonoran Desert in southeast California and southwest Arizona also has a relatively small number of species for the same reason. The best places to see cacti are south and southeast Arizona, south New Mexico, and far west Texas, especially in the Big Bend region. Of these three, the Mojave has somewhat fewer species due to its low rainfall.
The golden cereus, Munz’s cholla, coastal cholla, chaparral prickly pear, and San Diego barrel cactus are just a few of the rare cactus species that grow in California’s far southwest, close to San Diego, and down the coast into Santa Barbara. These can be seen in locations like Torrey Pines State Reserve, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Cabrillo National Monument, but the majority of California species are found in the southeasterly deserts, specifically in Mojave, Anza Borrego, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree National Parks. Joshua Tree is particularly fruitful because it is located on the border of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, and as a result, has plants typical of both.
Arizona has two National Park Service (NPS) locations dedicated to particular cacti: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in the far south, bordering Mexico, and Saguaro National Park on either side of Tucson. With approximately 30 species, some of which are fairly rare (like senita), this latter area is one of the best cactus places in the entire state. Other cactus-filled desert preserves include Kofa NWR, Sonoran Desert National Monument, Cabeza Prieta NWR, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and Agua Fria National Monument. Several small state parks, like Catalina, Sabino Canyon, Lost Dutchman, and Alamo Lake, also provide an excellent introduction to the local flora. The region in the far southeast between Nogales and the Chiricahua Mountains, which is where certain plants from the adjacent Chihuahuan Desert may be seen, as well as some that are significantly more frequent over the border in Mexico, has the most uncommon species, except from Organ Pipe NM. Cacti, however, are abundant throughout the state; for instance, the Canyon De Chelly National Monument is home to 12 different species. A few areas in the north also contain some extremely rare species, such as the pediocactus bradyii in the Marble Canyon region and the sclerocactus sileri on the Kaibab Plateau. Visit a botanical garden, like the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior or the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum west of Tucson, if you want to observe a wide variety of plant species all in one spot.
Around 20 different varieties of cacti can be found in Nevada’s far south, on the edge of the Mojave Desert. These include the hills that border Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, the foothills of Mount Charleston, and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The most prominent species are the Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus, California barrel cactus, many headed barrel, five different varieties of cholla, and several opuntia. The Great Basin Desert covers the rest of the state, which has fewer cacti but still contains a few very unusual species (sclerocactus).
The majority of the state of Utah is covered in cacti, including the Colorado Plateau, the Uinta Basin in the northeast, and low-lying areas of the southwest (on the edge of the Mojave Desert). The well-known national parks (Arches, Capital Reef, Zion, and Canyonlands) are each home to more than a dozen species, and Utah contains about six forms of cactus that are unique to the US. However, there is no one optimum spot (sclerocactus and pediocactus species).
Over 50 cactus species can be found in the Chihuahuan Desert, which makes up the southern third of New Mexico. These species can be found in places like Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, the Carlsbad Caverns National Park backcountry, and (in a botanical garden setting) Living Desert State Park in Carlsbad.
With around 100 different cactus species, Texas is the state with the most. The majority are found along the Rio Grande, close to the Mexican border, particularly in the Big Bend region, in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. In particular, the species of coryphantha, echinomastus, and escobaria are at their northernmost ranges on this terrain. In the far south, in the area of Brownsville, there is another cluster of rare species. Cacti can also be found in the Davis Mountains/Fort Davis, Guadalupe Mountains, and Black Gap WMA in the Chihuahuan Desert.