Bigroot Prickly Pear

Opuntia macrorhiza (oh-POON-tee-ah mak-ro-RYE-zah)

Family: Cactaceae Native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Plains prickly pear is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae) that is native to the contiguous United States. It is a low-growing, clump-forming perennial evergreen, succulent, and measures less than 10 inches tall and forms a mat up to 3 to 5 feet wide. This species often has tuberous roots and is typically found in dry plains, grasslands, and woodlands. The specific epithet, macrorhiza , is Latin for "with large roots"' and refers to the large, tuberous roots of this plant. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy, rocky soils with a slightly acidic pH. It is rabbit-resistant and drought-tolerant. This species may be propagated by stem cuttings or seeds. The plains prickly pear has flat, jointed, round to oval, dull green to bluish-green fleshy pads that measure 2 to 5 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. Its stems have been modified into oval or round fleshy pads that store moisture when it is available and provide a reservoir when the area has become very dry. As a defense against animals that would like to get at this moisture, these pads are covered with spines and bristles (glochids). Glochids are barbed and can puncture and lodge in human skin. For some people, this can trigger a significant allergic skin reaction. The spines are up to 2.5 inches long, straight, and are clustered in groups of 1 to 6 that grow from the areoles on the surface of the pad. Its flowers bloom from June to July and are papery, light yellow with a red base, and measure 2 to 3 inches wide. They are very showy and attract pollinators. In the late summer and autumn, the 'pear' becomes ripe and can be eaten as a fruit or made into candies and jams. The fruits are fleshy, reddish-purple, and measure 1 to 1.5 inches long. This plant can be used as a ground cover, to help anchor sandy or rocky slopes, as a spot plant in a dry garden, in a naturalized area or in a pollinator garden. Provide room for the off-shoots. The pads have a tendency to break off and root which will eventually form a colony. Wear protective gloves when handling this plant to prevent skin irritation. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The plains prickly pear has no serious insects or disease problems. Root rot can occur when there is poor soil drainage or soggy soils. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Opuntia .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 58 attributes.