Prickly Pear Cactus: Food of the Desert

The prickly pear cactus can be found in desert regions of the Americas, ranging from Canada to the Southern regions of South America. Even though it is native to the Americas, it has been known to be grown around the world. Just within the Sonoran Desert of Southwestern United States and Mexico, there are 18 species of prickly pear. Some of the commonly grown species in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts include Engelmann’s, Santa Rita, Indian Fig, and Beavertail.