Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

Eastern Prickly Pear

(Opuntia humifusa)

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

Famartin

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Famartin

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Famartin | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Famartin | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: 2017-05-29_14_25_22_Eastern_Prickly_Pear_cactus_blossoms_along_Ladybank_Lane_in_the_Chantilly_Highlands_section_of_Oak_Hill,_Fairfax_County,_Virginia.jpg | Notes: |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Opuntia humifusa, commonly known as Eastern Prickly Pear, is an evergreen succulent native to sandy plains, rocky outcrops, and open woodlands across the Eastern and Central USA. It is a low-growing perennial cactus that typically reaches a height of 0.1-0.3 feet and a width of 0.5-0.7 feet. The plant’s green stems are composed of flattened segments, characteristic of the Opuntia genus. These segments are adorned with barbed bristles and occasionally longer spines, which can pose a handling hazard. The Eastern Prickly Pear produces showy yellow to gold flowers with waxy petals, sometimes featuring red centers, blooming in late spring. The plant’s juicy fruits, which mature from green to red, are edible and can persist on the cactus until the following spring, containing 6 to 33 small, flat, light-colored seeds.

The Eastern Prickly Pear is valued for its drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements, making it suitable for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It is also used in native plant gardens and as ground cover in areas with poor, sandy soil. This cactus requires full sun and well-draining, sandy soil to thrive, and it is very intolerant of shade. While it is generally pest-resistant, overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot. It is important to handle this plant with care due to its spines and bristles.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Succulent, Shrub
Height: 0.1-0.3 feet
Width: 0.5-0.7 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Very Low
Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to sandy plains, rocky outcrops, and open woodlands across the Eastern USA

Other Names

Common Names: Indian Fig, Creeping Prickly-Pear, Creeping-Pear, Smooth Prickly-Pear, Low Prickly-Pear, Large-Flower Prickly-Pear, Eastern Prickly Pear, Nopal Del Este, Krypopuntia

Scientific Names: , Opuntia humifusa, Opuntia compressa, Cactus opuntia, Opuntia opuntia, Opuntia mesacantha, Opuntia caespitosa, Opuntia nemoralis, Opuntia rafinesquei, Opuntia fuscoatra

GBIF Accepted Name: Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf.