Plant DetailShow Menu

Opuntia mesacantha

Previously known as:

  • Cactus monacanthos
Phonetic Spelling
op-UN-tee-a mes-uh-KANTH-uh
Description

Prickly-pear is a native evergreen succulent found in coastal dunes, sandy riverbeds, and pine forests.  It is a fast growing, shrubby cactus with heights of up to 20 feet (ca. 6 m).  Its short trunk may reach 8 inches (ca. 20 cm) in diameter.  

It grows best in areas that have lots of sun, light and minimal water.  In hot, arid climates it can be grown outdoors in a bed or container.

Great for xeriscaping and easy to transplant. Seeds must ripen for a year+ before germination occurs. Edible fruits and leaf pads. Prickly spines and irritating hairs.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Opuntia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#NC native#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#native succulent#food source soft mast fruit#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#NC native#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#native succulent#food source soft mast fruit#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Opuntia
    Species:
    mesacantha
    Family:
    Cactaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat and drought tolerant.
    Edibility:
    Ripe fruit edible raw or in jelly. Pads can be eaten raw or cooked and have a mucilaginous texture. Remove spines and glochids from pads and fruit before eating.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The reddish-purple fruit is pear shaped and displays from August to December.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Blooms from April to June with 3-4" yellow to deep orange-brown blooms that are reddish at the outer portion.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are stem segments that are tapered near the gase.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Flattened stems (cladodes, often called pads) that resemble thick leaves. Glochids (minute bristle-like, barbed hairs in clusters) on the stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns