General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Plant Height: Up to 6 feet or more
Plant Spread: Sprawling habit
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Fruit: Showy
Edible to birds
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloom Size: 2"-3"
Flower Time: Late winter or early spring
Underground structures: Taproot
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Guardian plant
Will Naturalize
Edible Parts: Fruit
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Tolerates dry shade
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Needs specific temperature: 68-86 degrees
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Other info: Seeds may be extremely slow to germinate
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Cuttings: Tip
Cuttings: Root
Layering
Division
Other: Individual pads form new plants; they must dry and callous for 10 days before planting
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth

Image
Common names
  • Prickly Pear
  • Arumbeba-Redonda
  • Palma-Brava
  • Kanwar Gandal

Photo Gallery
Location: Prescott, AZ
Date: 2017-05-26
Prickly Pear Cactus at the Start of Bloom, Late May
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Potohar, Pakistan.
Date: 2012-10-15
Location: Potohar, Pakistan.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Growing on rocks and cliffs by the sea.
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: At our garden - Tracy, CA
Date: 2010-04-27
Location: At our garden - Tracy, CA
Date: 2011-11-07
Opuntia is leaning a bit but still okay!
Location: Potohar, Pakistan.
Location: Chandler, AZ - Sunsprite Cottage
Date: 02/20/2012 - Winter
Opuntia monacantha monteose variegata
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: 2014-02-03
Uploaded by Akajou
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