Pink Family Las Cruces, NM (Aguirre Springs) Oct. 6, 2008 This is a woodland version of Chickweed. It grew on the heavily shaded, north side of the Pine Tree Trail. (That's why I had to use my flash to get this photo!)
Sugarloaf is another landmark in the Organ Mountains. It can't be seen as easily as the Rabbit Ears because it is often hidden behind rocky hills. It is another outcropping of smooth granite.
, but it would make a good snack for a hungry insect. We found one that had fallen to the ground and broke it open. I had always wondered what the fruit tastes like and I finally got to find out. I had to be very careful to hold it where there were no glochids, the tiny brown prickles. I scraped the dark pink pulp out with my teeth. Unfortunately, it was chock-full of seeds, so I didn't get to eat much of it. I guess I helped spread some more cactus when I spit the seeds out on the ground! The Native Americans once ate these fruits and they are still eaten by many animals.
