AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



209 



PRICKLY PEAR or INDIAN FIG (Opuntia). 



Plants of the cactus family are widely scattered in the arid regions 

 from Dakota to Washington and south to Texas and California. Figs. 

 114 and 115.) Of the prickly pears (Opuntia) there are about 150 species, 

 mostly found in the warmer sections of North America and southward. A 

 few are to be found in sandy soils further east, ranging from Ontario and 

 Massachusetts south to Florida. They are also sometimes grown as or- 

 namentals. The blossom of the prickly pear is of pale yellow color and 

 very attractive. (Fig. 113.) It is reported as a source of nectar in both 



Fig. 113. 



lossom of the cactus or prickly pear. 



Texas and California. Opuntia engelmanni is reported by Scholl in 

 "Honey Plants of Texas," as "of much importance to the beekeeper, espe- 

 cially during a season of partial drought. Both an abundance of pollen 

 and honey was obtained, the honey being light amber in color, of heavy 

 body but 'stringy,' so much so that it fairly draws out into strings when 

 very thick. The flavor is very rank." 



In some parts of the Southwest it is valued more for pollen than for 

 nectar. Beginning in July, it blooms for four to six weeks. E. G. Le- 

 Stourgeon reports that in the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, it yields sur- 

 plus honey about one year in four, but that the flow is usually short, seldom 

 more than four or five days. A peculiarity of this honey is that of granu- 

 lating in large crystals in clear liquid. It is often spoken of as "buttermilk 

 honey," because of this peculiarity. LeStourgeon secured an average 



