Opuntia humifusa
Also called Devil's Tongue, Compressed Cactus
Opuntia humifusa - Prickly Pear - Photo courtesy of Sean James Consulting & Design
More About Opuntia humifusa
- AKA Opuntia compressa, Opuntia rafinesquei
- Waxy, yellow flowers grow singularly or in small clusters along the top edge of the cactus pad
- Blooms last one day
- Edible, small, oval, bristly, red fruit follow the flower and turn yellow when ripe
- Flat, fleshy, oval pads are covered in fine, barbed bristles
- Each pad is about 25 cm long, 15 cm wide and 3 cm thick
- Old pads are bluish-green and new growth is mid-green
- Very drought tolerant and evergreen
- Bloom Time: May to July
Interesting Notes:
Zone:
3Height:
20-30 cmSpread:
75-90 cmColour:
YellowPrickly Pear Growing and Maintenance Tips
Thrives in at least a half day of sun in dry, sandy or rocky soils. Loamy soils are tolerated if well-drained. Can be found in sandy woodlands, prairies, rocky bluffs, sand dunes, and gravelly areas along railroads.
Opuntia humifusa Characteristics
Full Sun
Rabbit Resistant
Deer Resistant
Low Maintenance
Native to Ontario
Evergreen
Drought Tolerant
Heat Tolerant
Rock garden
Ground cover
Soil Moisture
Average to Dry SoilsWell-drained
Growth Rate
SlowAttributes
XeriscapeFruit
Flowering Time
SpringLt. Spr-Sum
Summer
Habit
CompactClumping
Foliage Color
GreenBlue
Landscape uses
Rooftop (extensive)Naturalizing
Roadside planting
Border/edging