Tag: Barrel cactus

Indigenous peoples in arid regions have consumed certain cactus species as a food source for millennia, a practice based on specific botanical knowledge. Knowing how to distinguish what cactus is edible from its toxic or inedible counterparts is a critical skill for foragers and desert adventurers alike.

Over 70% of a cactus's body weight is water, but attempting to drink from the wrong species can cause vomiting, paralysis, or even death. Learning which cactus is safe to drink is a vital survival skill, separating lifesavers from deadly toxins found in the desert.