As anyone who’s gotten too close to a jumping cholla cactus can attest, the experience is singularly painful — and difficult to resolve, as the cactus’ spines are particularly stubborn to remove.

News flash: If you’re new to succulents, beware the prickly pear. It is the one cactus that strikes fear into every desert gardener, and now the drought has made these cactuses available far and wide.

Edible cactus is also known as nopales (no-PAH-les), nopalitos or cactus pads. It can be found at Mexican grocery stores, specialty produce markets and farmers markets. Edible cactus is characterized ...

Q. Why do cactus plants have no leaves? A. This is a great question. Most cacti are lacking traditional leaves because they evolved and grow in a hot, dry environment. Their adaptation is one of ...

Prickly desert cactus sounds like the last thing you’d want to eat. But -- surprise! -- once the spines are off, cactus is juicy and tender, great in anything from salads and soups to main courses and ...