Opuntia polyacantha
A drought-tolerant, North American cactus that forms low mats of flat pads with spines, bears yellow spring flowers and edible fruits, regenerates after fire, and provides forage and cover for wildlife and livestock.
Common Names
Plains Prickly Pear, Plains Prickly Pear Cactus, Hairspine Cactus, Starvation Prickly Pear, Panhandle Prickly Pear, Central Prickly Pear, El Paso Prickly Pear, Grizzly Bear Prickly Pear, Navajo Bridge Prickly Pear, Porcupine Cactus
Summary
Plains prickly pear is a North American cactus native to western regions, forming low mats with prostrate, spreading growth and flattened blue-green pads; areoles bear woolly fibers with spines and glochids, and flowers are yellow to magenta appearing in late spring to early summer, typically 2–3.5 inches across, followed by dry cylindrical fruits.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy or rocky soils, is highly drought-tolerant and frost-hardy, and propagates by cuttings or seeds; can spread from fallen segments and layering; suitable for xeriscapes, rock gardens, and ground cover; provides wildlife forage after spines are removed and supports native pollinators; spines and glochids can irritate skin; hardy to USDA zones 3a–9b.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1-2 feet
Spread
2-4 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial sun
Soil Type
Well-drained sandy, gravelly or rocky soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
7.0–8.8
Bloom Color
Yellow, often with magenta or pink, also apricot, orange, red, or violet
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Green to blue-green
Fall Foliage Color
Blue
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Growth Rate
Slow growth, about 3 inches per year in clump diameter, and 10–20 years to reach ultimate height.
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings (pad cuttings; stem joint segments), Layering, Offsets (pad segments), Resprouting from detached segments, Root sprouting
Attracts Wildlife
Bees: Yes, Hummingbirds: Yes, Birds: Yes
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Haw.
- Publication
- Suppl. Pl. Succ.: 82. 1819.
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Caryophyllales
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Opuntia
Inferior Taxa
Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina Opuntia polyacantha var. nicholii Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha
Synonyms
Opuntia media Opuntia rutila Opuntia splendens Opuntia spirocentra Opuntia utahensis Opuntia barbata Cactus ferox Tunas polyacantha Opuntia schweriniana Opuntia arrastradillo Opuntia missouriensis var. rufispina Opuntia sphaerocarpa var. utahensis Opuntia barbata var. gracillima Opuntia missouriensis var. elongata Opuntia missouriensis var. microsperma Opuntia missouriensis var. subinermis Opuntia polyacantha subsp. borealis Opuntia polyacantha var. erythrostema Opuntia polyacantha var. salmonea Opuntia polyacantha var. spirocentra Opuntia polyacantha var. subinermis Opuntia polyacantha var. watsonii Opuntia erinacea var. utahensis Opuntia polyacantha var. rufispina Opuntia polyacantha var. schweriniana Opuntia missouriensis var. salmonea Opuntia polyacantha var. borealis Opuntia polyacantha var. utahensis