Botanical Name: Opuntia erinacea
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Common Name: Old Man Prickly Pear  
Plant photo of: Opuntia erinacea
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Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Cactus

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Pink, Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Purple

 

Fruit Season

Summer

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

Thorns/Spines

Design Styles

n/a

 

Accenting Features

n/a

 

Seasonal Interest

n/a

 

Location Uses

n/a

 

Special Uses

n/a

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by:
Photographer: Andrea Baker SNWA

  • Description

  • Notes

Opuntia erinacea is a shrub that reaches 2' tall and forms 4' wide clumps. This cactus has pads that are 2.5" wide covered with areoles. Pink flowers, 2" in diameter, bloom in spring. The fruit is barrel-shaped, fleshy and may be covered with spines. It is edible. Fruit matures during the summer. This cactus is cold tolerant to 20 degrees F. Be careful handling this cactus as the fine hairs, also known as glochids, can irritate skin.