Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Colorful Cactus

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It’s that time of the year when countless colorful cactus blooms cover South Texas wildlands from coastal prairie to arid brush country.

More species of cactus are found in Texas than any other state. With some 100 varieties, the richly hued colors range from bright yellow and orange to subtle shades of pink or salmon, and others glow vividly reddish.

Most prolific is prickly pear, and the ubiquitous cactus is just reaching peak bloom right about now. 

While flowers of prickly pear are strikingly beautiful this time of year, the cactus also provides shelter and sustenance to a variety of wildlife, like the aptly named Cactus wren that invariably conceals its nest in thorny recesses of the stickery hideaway.

This Inca dove has also sequestered its nest deep within the protective pads where two young have already hatched. 

Preceding the conspicuous blooming of prickly pear is the early spring flowering of horse crippler or devil’s head. 

The appropriately named horse crippler is protected by a formidable array of thorns, atop which rests a crown of pink flowers.  The sturdy, sharp spikes of this cactus are indeed capable of injuring a horse or unwary hiker. 

However, once the flowers fade, the plump red fruit of the horse crippler will be quickly devoured by a variety of wildlife. 

Spectacular purple flowers of strawberry cactus or pitaya reach peak bloom following early spring horse crippler blossoms and vanish before prickly pear flowers emerge. 

After glowing brightly in remarkable unison for just a few days, the vividly fluorescent flowers quickly fade, and the resulting fruit tasting like strawberries will be a much sought after delicacy for wildlife. 

Tucked amidst thorny chaparral are scores of other less abundant cacti. Ladyfinger flourishes a stunning pink bloom, while the spindly Wilcoxia produces a similarly hued flowering of delicately draping petals.

Many species of cactus, like endangered peyote and star cactus, are found only in deep South Texas and nowhere else in the United States.

Now is a great time to venture out into the wildlands and enjoy the cactus capital of the country.