Dune prickly pear is a small succulent evergreen shrub in the cactus family (Cactaceae) that is found among the dunes of the barrier islands, or along sandy riverbanks of the Southeastern United States. It is a southern species and is found from the North Carolina coast and southward to northern Florida and then as far as east Texas. They have been found in Fort Macon State Park in Carteret County. This small cactus is very inconspicuous and can be easily hidden in the grass along the dunes. This species prefers full sun, well-drained sandy soil, and cool winter temperatures. It is winter hardy in zones 8a to 12b. The dune prickly pear is deer- and rabbit-resistant and tolerant of drought, heat, salt and humidity. The dune prickly pear is fleshy and has a prostrate or creeping habit. The stems are green, flat, elliptic to linear to sub-cylindrical, jointed, and have 1-inch-long spines. When under stress the stems may be purplish red. The flattened leaf-like pads or cladodes are about 1 inch long. The unique spines are barbed retrorsely (point backward) and attach easily to your pants or shoes as you walk along the dunes. This species rarely flowers; however, if flowering occurs, the bloom is yellow and 2 inches in diameter and would be seen from May to June. If fruits are produced, they will mature from August to October and are initially green and ripen to a reddish-purple. The cladodes are fragile and easily detach at the nodes and are dispersed in the dunes. They can vegetatively produce clones of the parent plant. The root system is fibrous, but sometimes small tubers are produced. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs and scale. Overwatering can cause root rot. Caution: The spines of this cactus are barbed, and they are not easily removed from clothing or flesh. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Opuntia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Prostrate
Texture
Coarse
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup; Funnel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
This species rarely blooms; however, the flowers are yellow and 2 inches in diameter and are seen from May to June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
The fruits are fleshy, reddish-purple, barrel-shaped, and are produced from August to October.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stems are green, but under stress may become reddish-purple. They are flat, elliptical to linear to sub-cylindrical, jointed, and have 1-inch long spines.The flattened leaf-like pads or cladodes are about 1-inch long. The unique spines are barbed retrorsely (point backwards).
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States to East Texas
Distribution
Native: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, and TX
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and hummingbirds.
Attracts
Bees; Hummingbirds; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Berry
Edibility
Ripe fruit edible raw or in jelly. Pads can be eaten raw or cooked and have a mucilaginous texture. Remove spines and glochids from pads and fruit before eating.
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Edible Garden; Rock Garden