MINIATURE FORTRESSES 133 



Prolific Tree Cholla (Opuntia arbuscula) 



Southern Arizona 



This Cholla in southern Arizona is considered very val- 

 uable as stock feed in time of drought. Arbuscula (the 

 name means "a small tree") will produce from sixty to 

 seventy pounds of fruit in a season from one single tree, this 

 fruit remaining on the plant in good condition for over two 

 years; in fact if the trees are not grazed annually they break 

 down under their enormous loads of fruit. Like others of 

 this fantastic genus, the fruit upon falling to the ground de- 

 velop roots and grow into new plants; almost like the earth- 

 worm in this habit, which if cut in two reproduces itself again 

 and again. Blossoms, also, are produced from the ends of 

 this prolific fruit of last season's growth, and the green and 

 yellow and red blooms grow, too, in dense clusters at the tips 

 of the gray-green joints. There is another color combina- 

 tion to be seen in x-\pril or May when these glossy flowers come 

 forth into bloom, red-brown and orange-brown sepals and 

 petals appearing on bright green joints. The Papago In- 

 dians prepare a most palatable salad from the young flower- 

 buds of this Cane Cactus. The unopened buds are gathered 

 and plunged into hot water for a few minutes, allowed to 

 dry in the sun and stored in ollas until winter; then they are 

 shaken in a sack or stirred briskly in a pan to dislodge the 

 fine spicules, cooked, and served with dressing, a tasty dish 

 served to the many tourists who travel across the desert 

 during vacation and pleasure time, in search of the various 

 new and interesting plant creations to be found in this fan- 

 tastic cactus land. 



ThoRXBER'S Cholla (OpuntiaThornberi) 



Southern Arizona 



Opuntia Thornberi is quite distinct among Cane Cacti in 

 having long tubercles and long angular joints, the latter a 



