Tulip Pricklypear (Opuntia phaeacantha)

Tulip Pricklypear

(Opuntia phaeacantha)

Tulip Pricklypear (Opuntia phaeacantha)

AntanO

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: AntanO

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: AntanO | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: AntanO | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Cactus_(Opuntia_phaeacantha)_flower.JPG | Notes: {{BotMoveToCommons|en.wikipedia}} {{Information |Description={{en|''Ornithogalum narbonense'' - image taken on 12 April 2004, on the slopes of [[:en:Mount Carmel, Israel|Mount Carmel]], [[:en:Israel]].}} |Source=Transferred from [http://en.wikipedia.org e |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Opuntia phaeacantha, commonly known as Tulip Pricklypear, is an evergreen succulent native to arid and semi-arid regions, including deserts, grasslands, and scrublands in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. It typically forms a mounding habit with flattened green pads that can create dense, localized thickets. The pads are armed with clusters of spines, and at the base of these spines are tufts of easily detached brown bristles called glochids, which are also present on the fruit, giving rise to the common name "prickly pear." The showy flowers are bright yellow with a pale green center, and some plants produce yellow flowers with an orange-red center, blooming in late spring to early summer. The edible fruits are red or purple with a pink seedy flesh, tasting mildly of watermelon or pear.

Tulip Pricklypear is valued for its drought tolerance, low maintenance requirements, and the ornamental quality of its flowers and fruits. It is used in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and as a barrier plant due to its spines. It thrives in full sun, requires minimal water once established, and prefers well-drained soils. While it is easy to grow, it is important to handle with care due to its spines and glochids. Opuntia phaeacantha can become invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub, Succulent
Height: 1-3 feet
Width: 4-5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

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

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, 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., Fire Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Arid and semi-arid regions, including deserts, grasslands, and scrublands

Other Names

Common Names: New Mexico Prickly-Pear , Desert Prickly-Pear , Mojave Prickly Pear , Major Prickly-Pear , Dense-Spine Prickly-Pear , Mojave Prickly-Pear , Purple-Fruit Prickly-Pear , Yellow-Spine Prickly-Pear , Brown-Spine Prickly-Pear , Nopal Pardo

Scientific Names: Opuntia phaeacantha , Opuntia azurea , Opuntia woodsii , Opuntia camanchica , Opuntia phaeacantha var. phaeacantha , Opuntia phaeacantha var. camanchica , Opuntia charlestonensis , Opuntia angustata , Opuntia phaeacantha var. nigricans , Opuntia zuniensis

GBIF Accepted Name: Opuntia phaeacantha Engelm.