Al Braden Photographer

Sixteen species of Prickly Pear - or Opuntia - thrive in the Big Bend region of the Chihuahuan Desert. They are a dominant species throughout the park, though different varieties claim different areas of the park. As they often hybridize, exact taxonomy from photos if often challenging. Late spring to early summer is their primary blooming season.

Prickly Pear are the most abundant and varied Genus in Big Bend as these 81 photos attest.