Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia spp.
o-PUN-tee-ah
Evergreen – Sun
Ht. 2’-6’ Spread 4’-6’
Spacing 2’-4’
HABIT: Yellow to red flowers in spring, red to purple edible fruit in fall.
CULTURE: Flat pads covered with tufts of spines.
USES: Maintenance free spring flowers.
PROBLEMS: Spines can be a nuisance.
NOTES: Texas prickly pear is Opuntia lindheimeri. Opuntia imbricata is the native Cholla or Walking Stick.
“Cactus pad we found in our garden growing in the shape of a heart.” Photos by B. Dollar
