Prickly Pear Cactus
Cochise College   
Hiking Dangers in Arizona                                                        
Virtual Geology Museum     Educational Resources
Geology Home Page

Roger Weller, geology instructor      

wellerr@cochise.edu

Prickly Pear Cactus
The prickly pear cactus, in spite of its impressive display of needles, is really
more of a nuisance than a danger.  Unlike the needles of the cholla cactus, the large
prickly pear needles can be easily pulled out of your skin.  It is the smaller needles
at the base of the large needles that are the greatest problem.  You can barely see
the small needles but they stick in your skin and cause pain when brush against
something.  Do not use any adhesive tape to try and pull off the tiny needles. 
Instead, paint the area with Elmer's glue; allow it to completely dry and then peel it off.
 

Photo is copyright free for non-commercial educational uses. 
Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.
copyright 2007 R.Weller