Can the leaves of a prickly pear cactus fall off spontaneously?

Question

I am in Arizona. The top leaves of my front yard cactus fell off. Can it be vandalizm or Nature?

Answer 1

The leaves of Opuntia cacti are actually small, green fleshy structures seen on newly maturing pads. The pads themselves are the stems of the plant. As the pad matures, the leaves turn yellow, shrivel and fall off. They are very inconspicious and few people notice them. Opuntia stems grow in a chain like fashion for several years. If severly dehydrated, the pads will shrivel and eventually begin to fall off. As the Opuntia ages, the pads thicken and fuse together as bark begins to form around the oldest pads. Over many decades some species will grow into small trees. The only native species to north america known to grow into a tree is O. lunguiformis, the "cowtongue" opuntia. Most of the other species simply grow into large, shrubby patches of pads. The relatives of Opuntias are the chollas. They are much more tree like in growth. These are some of the most primitive of all cacti species.

Since it is now spring in the northern hemisphere, I suspect the pads were intentionally removed. Fortunately, they can easily be replanted and if the ground remains moist, they will quickly root. Opuntia pads have to be handled carefully however. Besides several large thorns, this group of cacti have thousands of smaller thorns known as glochids. Tufts of them easily penetrate skin and cause an itchy rash if not removed with tweesers.

Answer 2

it is just nature, but on this month it is vandalism. it is to early to fall off.

Answer 3

No.  It could be both!

Answer 4

They shouldnt