The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: common prickly-pear, devil's-tongue

Family: Cactaceae (cactus family)

Synonym: Cactus humifusus

Distribution: e. United States (n. Atlantic coast to c. Appalachian Mts.)

Habitat: Sandy habitats, openings on dry, sometimes wooded hillsides; 0-1000 m

CITES: Appendix II

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Evergreen shrub

Comments: A succulent with large yellow flowers (2-3 inches across) that bloom in May thru July, this species has fewer spines than many western species of prickly pear but they are still fairly formidable. The fine spines can easily penetrate the skin causing irritation should the pads (i.e., leaves) be carelessly handled or brushed against. This plant blooms more reliably than most cacti and produces dull red to reddish brown fruit which is edible raw or in jelly. The interior of the pad is similar to okra and can be used to thicken soups after cooking. This cactus grows best in open, dry areas, often on calcareous rock or thin soils. It can be found in or on fencerows, roadsides, rocky glades, rock outcrops, cliffs, old quarries, dunes, and prairie. It is attractive in a desert landscape with ornamental blooms.