Spreading Prickly Pear Opuntia mesacantha
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cactus monacanthos
- Phonetic Spelling
- op-UN-tee-a mes-uh-KANTH-uh
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
