Love is in the air, and perfectly shaped on the cactus at Desert Botanical Garden.
Along the trails, you will find several pads of prickly pear cactus species in the shape of hearts.
This is often due to animals nibbling at pads that create little hearts, or cold temps might disrupt the growth of new pads, creating that loveable shape.
Grab a Trail Guide and come find these heart-shaped cactus at the Garden.
1. Ottosen Entry Garden
When guests walk into the Garden, they are greeted by a variety of cactus, including blind prickly pear cactus (Opuntia rufida). These cute and fuzzy-looking cactus are covered with glochids, hair-thin spines. On one of the beds with this species, guests will find a heart-shaped prickly pear cactus.
2. Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail
On the Wildflower trail, guests will witness a few early spring blooms. As you take the path to the right, you will another prickly pear species whats the species? that overlooks a butte. Guests can find a few heart-shaped pads on this cactus.
3. Path in between the Virginia Piper Charitable Trust Desert Terrace Garden and The Lewis Desert Portal
As guests walk through the Desert Terrace Garden path that leads into the Lewis Desert Portal, there are bunny ear prickly pear cactus (microdasys) sitting to the left. Within those pretty-looking cactus, there are a couple of pads in the shape of a heart. Make sure to capture photos at distance as to not get pricked by the tiny glochids.
4. Center for Desert Living Trail
Outside Archer House in the Center for Desert Living trail, there are prickly pear species with big pads. Once you step inside the little patio in front of Archer House, you find a couple of heart-shaped pads.
5. Sybil B. Harrington Cactus Gallery
Inside the Cactus Gallery, there are young prickly pear cactus growing next to Mexican giant cardons and organ pipe cactus. Guests will find a few heart-shaped pads with that prickly pear cactus. Just be careful to keep a distance from this deceivingly cute cactus.
