Flowers
from March to August.
Perennial plant with fleshy stems of flattened
pods with gray to whitish spines.
Flowers are large, solitary
and bright yellow
to reddish yellow.
The cochineal insect thrives
on this cactus, and its body has been used for dyes by
the
American Indians. This red dye called cochineal consists of
the dried bodies of female insects and is still used for
coloring
today.
Common plant found throughout
the state. |