Opuntia engelmannii var. cacanapa, commonly known as Engelmann’s Prickly Pear or Tiger Pear, is a succulent plant native to arid and semi-arid regions, including desert scrub, grasslands, and rocky outcrops in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. It typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 1.2-6 feet (0.37-1.8 meters) and a width of 1.5-6 feet (0.5-1.8 meters). This prickly pear cactus has a distinctive appearance with its flat, fleshy, oval to round pads that are covered in clusters of spines. The yellow flowers are quite showy, blooming in the spring and summer, and are followed by purple-red fruits that are edible and attract wildlife.

Engelmann’s Prickly Pear is valued for its drought tolerance, low maintenance requirements, and the visual interest it adds to xeriscapes, rock gardens, and desert-themed landscapes. It is also used for erosion control on dry slopes. The plant thrives in full sun and requires very little water once established, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardening. It prefers fast-draining sandy or loamy soils. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to cochineal scale insects, which appear as white cottony masses on the pads.CC BY-SA 4.0