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.
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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!!!