Suggestion (Cactus Rabbit) Opuntia

poptarts • 3 March 2022 at 6:12 PM

https://www.deviantart.com/hiddenlake/art/EggCave-Suggestion-Opuntia-908757563

The Opuntia during adolescence has poisonous spines to protect it from predators, the poison causes nausea, uncontrolled itching, burning sensations, and temporary blindness. This only lasts up to an hour.

As the Opuntia matures it will shed its poisonous spines and the flowers will bloom. The flowers hold healing properties that help relieve poisoning from adolescent Opuntia when applied to affected areas. The flowers on the mature Opuntia have a bitter taste and are often used to brew tea to cure indigestion.

In adulthood the Opuntia will sprout fruit which is popular in many parts of the desert for their unique taste, some say the flavor reminds them of pomegranate. Take caution when harvesting fruit from Opuntia as they regrow their poisonous spines on their ears as a way to protect themselves from predators.

Fun Fact:
Opuntia reproduces by growing the egg on their body which later falls off, during this time Opuntia will bury themselves in the ground, other instances of ground burying is for camouflage.

shirothekittehlover • 3 March 2022 at 7:07 PM

Cool suggestion!