Prickly Pear Cactus
| Plant Profile | |
|---|---|
| FYUSE 3D Image | Common Name: Prickly Pear |
Examples of Prickly Pear Opuntia macrorhiza
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Native |
| Duration | Perennial |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Great Plains and tallgrass prairie from South Dakota to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana; can occur as far east as Ohio and Kentucky |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Throughout the state |
ID Characteristics
-
Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Jointed, flattened pads
- Has more than 2 long spines radiating from scattered points across pad
- Can form large patches
Floral
- Flowers yellow and showy; fruits large and purplish-red
-
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Modified into spines
- Leaf Arrangement: Spines in clusters
- Stipules: Absent
-
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: Many petaloid parts
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flower Timing: May-July
- Fruit Type: Berries
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Varying |
| Habitat | Dry prairies and open forests |
| Successional Stage | Mid to late |