⦁ This plant needs at least 3 x 3 square feet to grow to full size.
Prickly Pear Opuntia humifusa
Prickly pear is a native perennial cactus with large, showy yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer.
Quick Facts
Species Type
Native
Size
Habitat
Found in dry, sandy or rocky areas; grows in full sun
Range
Grows throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Conservation Status
Stable
The prickly pear has bright yellow flowers that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and sometimes have a red center. These flowers bloom May to July. The cactus’ thick, green, flattened pads are covered with needle-like spines. It grows to 6 inches tall.
After blooming, the plant produces fleshy, red, cone-shaped fruit capsules that contain seeds. Fruit capsules turn reddish-brown as they mature. Animals such as birds, raccoons and opossums eat the fruit capsules and spread the plant’s seeds. New seedlings grow in spring. Prickly pear can also reproduce asexually when pads root into the ground.
Did You Know?
- The prickly pear is also known as devil’s tongue. It is the only native cactus that is widespread in the eastern United States.
- When in bloom, it attracts bees.
- In some places, people eat prickly pear pads and fruit capsules.
- PLANTS Profile for Opuntia humifusa – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Opuntia humifusa – U.S. Forest Service
- Eastern Prickly Pear – Dave’s Garden
Plant growth form
⦁ This plant is considered a shrub.
⦁ 1.5 feet tall x 3 by feet wide
⦁ The green pads you see are actually what is considered the “stem” of the cactus. The job of this specialized stem is to store water and do all the photosynthesis for the plant, which is why cacti have no traditional leaves.
The real “leaves” of this plant are actually the spines that cover its surface. The spines of a cactus play many very important roles for the plant, which include:
Protection:
Despite their small size (which may appear deceptively less intimidating than it’s larger-spined relatives), each point is actually a cluster of small hair-like spines which detach when disturbed, causing irritation when lodged in the skin. This provides the plant with protection from predators.
Water collection:
The increased surface area they provide allows water to collect on the spines and run down the stem of the cactus depositing it at the roots.
Temperature regulation:
The spines of a cactus act the same way the hairs on your arms do, creating a thin layer of trapped air which helps the plant keep a consistent temperature during the severe spikes throughout the day, as well as the rapid decline during the night.
Shade:
Although they appear small in size, the accumulation of all the plant’s spines ends up providing it some protection from the harsh sun it has to face in some climates (however, this is not an issue this plant struggles with here).
Flowers, fruits & pollinators
⦁ Single flower, 3” wide bloom.
⦁ Yellow with a red/orange tint in the center.
⦁ Perfect flower type.
The flowers of a Prickly Pear have 7 sepals, 1 pistil, 7 or more petals, and 200+ stamens. They are 3” wide, are yellow with a reddish-orange center and have petals that are heart-shaped with a single small point sticking out of the end. The base of the flower that connects it to the cactus is around 1-2 inches long, making the flower protrude very high above the plant.
Ideal location, conditions & cultural needs
⦁ These plants will flourish in partial or direct sun and prefer to have 8-12 hours of sun exposure per day.
⦁ These plants prefer dry soil with a heavy gravel/sand presence that provides them with proper drainage
⦁ These plants have no special needs when it comes to nutrients and are in fact very tolerant in nutrient-deficient desert soils that would not be viable for the majority of plants.
