This post is on point. While exploring Big Bend National Park, you will notice a variety of prickly cactus colors. Sometimes, something unexpected might catch your eye. Is that prickly pear… purple You’re not imagining things— you’ve just found the purple prickly pear! This species of Opuntia is most notable as one of a few cacti that produce a purple pigmentation in the stem. The purple color is the most intense at the edges of the pad. The purple color comes from the production of a betalain (betacyanin) pigment that becomes more evident as the plant is stressed by drought or cold. Have you noticed any unexpected cactus colors while hiking in a park? Images: Close up views of prickly pear plants at @bigbendnps. NPS/JWoerner #discoversomethingnew #pricklypear #purplepricklypear #cactus #bigbendnationalpark #bigbend #texas