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Old Man Prickly Pear

Opuntia Erinacea

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Overview

The Old Man Prickly Pear, or Opuntia erinacea, is a striking cactus native to the Southwest. Characterized by its dense cover of white or yellow spines that resemble an old man's beard, this plant typically reaches 2-3 feet in height. Drought-resistant, it requires minimal maintenance and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant touch to arid landscapes.

Sun Full, HalfWater Very LowZones 9–10Type CactusClimate Arid

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — It blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant touch to arid landscapes; evoking the, image 49

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Very Low
USDA zones: 9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Cactus
Family: Cactaceae
Climate: Arid

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Photos (97)

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the cactus earns its name from the grayish-white; hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads, image 74

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Drought-resistant, it requires minimal maintenance and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil; this, image 48

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads; during the late spring to early summer, image 53

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — cactus for full or half; or providing a barrier to prevent accidental contact

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — or providing a barrier to prevent accidental contact

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — pink and yellow flowers in the garden

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the Old Man Prickly Pear exhibits yellow to rose-colored flowers; is a visually captivating species of cactus that

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the cactus earns its name from the grayish-white; hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Known for its distinctive spiny exterior and tough demeanor; characterized by its dense cover of white or, image 73

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — The cactus typically grows up to 2 to 3 feet in height and can spread equally as wide; known for its, image 58

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — The cactus typically grows up to 2 to 3 feet in height and can spread equally as wide

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — is a visually captivating species of cactus that excels in arid; the Old Man Prickly Pear exhibits yellow, image 50

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — During the late spring to early summer; cactus with pink and yellow blooms

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the Old Man Prickly Pear is remarkably drought-tolerant once established; pads are succulent and typically range from

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the Old Man Prickly Pear is remarkably drought-tolerant once established

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the cactus earns its name from the grayish-white

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — this plant typically reaches 2-3 feet in height; planting it in areas away from high foot traffic is advisable

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads; during the late spring to early summer

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — Ideal for USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — cactus with pink and yellow blooms; the Old Man Prickly Pear is remarkably drought-tolerant once, image 65

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — the cactus earns its name from the grayish-white; hair-like spines covering its paddle-like pads, image 52

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — It blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant touch to arid landscapes; evoking the, image 71

Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Erinacea) — pink and yellow flowers in the garden; it blooms bright yellow flowers in late spring, adding a vibrant, image 64

Photographs by 11 contributors

John Rusk from Berkeley, CC BY 2.0 · source
Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City,…, CC BY 2.0 · source
Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Daniel Mayer (mav), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Joe Decruyenaere, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Evolvulux, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source

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