The "prickly pear" cactus also known as the "cactus pear"), Opuntia ficus-indica. From the Hebrew word for this plant "tzabar" is derived the word "Sabra". Sabra is a slang term used to describe a native-born Israeli Jew. The allusion is to a tenacious, thorny desert plant with a thick hide that conceals a sweet, softer interior i.e., tough on the outside, sweet and tender on the inside. The photo was taken in Tiberias on January 13, 2007.
8 Comments
Brenda Loveless 24 Feb 2007
great shot, Lili...both the pears and flesh of the leaves are edible; in fact, the leaf pulp is supposed to naturally aid in insulin regulationCarrie Ann Watson 23 Feb 2007
What a beautiful cactus! Excellent pic Lili! :)John Segon-Fisher 22 Feb 2007
Interesting shot Lili. Interesting enough - in Australia we spent millions getting rid of them. A real pest here.Sara Deutsch 21 Feb 2007
Love the metaphor...wonderful shot.Joke Schotting 21 Feb 2007
Great shot my friend Lili!!!Lucia Stewart 21 Feb 2007
Absoloutly fabulous work!!! Excellent!!!................well done, we saw thes in south africa!! I think they eat them ove there!!Emily Reed 21 Feb 2007
COOL! LOOKS LIKE TOES STICKING UP!Joanna Jungjohann 21 Feb 2007
oh, I am going to miss seeing the blooms this year, thank you so much for sharing, outstanding image, Lili!