No idea about that Peruvian variety. Here in the Sonoran desert, I know that Nopales (what you probably refer to as prickly pear) are only edible for humans when they are early shoots in the spring, before the spines harden. The soft green flesh is actually quite sweet. The javelina here eat the whole plant when the summers get so hot there isn't anything else available. Likewise the
rabbits will eat anything when they get hungry
enough.
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.”
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