"Tuna"

These red growths represent where a flower bloomed on the cactus. After they withered and fell off of the cactus, these grew in their place.

They are known as cactus figs, Indian figs or "tuna" in Spanish, and are edible, although they have to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin. They are often used to make candies, jelly, or intoxicant beverages.

The cactus you see here are in a very limited area of Arizona. The Santa Rita Pricklypear are found in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains, and are a protected native plant.

The Santa Rita Mountains happen to be the ones I can see right out my back door. Learn a little more about the prickly pear cactus that changes hues.