Old Man Prickly Pear
Opuntia Erinacea
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
Culture
- Sun
- Full, Half
- Water
- Very Low
- USDA zones
- 9–10
Shape & size
Classification
- Type
- Cactus
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Climate
- Arid
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Photographs by 4 contributors
- Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City,…, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Dguendel, CC BY 3.0 · source
- Ijon, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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