Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear)

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

Height, Spread: up to 1 ft for both

Water/Soil: Dry, well-drained, sand, shallow rocky

Light: Full sun

Bloom: Summer, gold showy flowers

Native Range: Eastern USA

Qualities: Attractive to pollinators, Wildlife resource 

Notes: Perennial evergreen cactus commonly found in shale barrens, sandhills, and dunes in NC. Its large yellow flowers are attractive to pollinators, and box turtles and birds will eat the fruit. Best used in a sunny place with soil that doesn't hold water.