Opuntia humifusa (Eastern prickly pear)

Botanical name

Opuntia humifusa

Other names

Eastern prickly pear, Low prickly pear, Smooth prickly pear, Devil's-tongue, Indian fig, Opuntia compressa, Eastern pricklypear, Devil's tongue

Genus

Opuntia Opuntia

Species

O. humifusa - O. humifusa is a clump-forming, semi-prostrate, perennial cactus forming stems divided into flattened elliptic, ovate, or rounded, spiny, grey-green segments with narrowly wedge-shaped leaves. Broadly funnel-shaped, bright yellow flowers from late spring into summer are followed by ovoid, spineless, edible, red or purple fruit.

Native to

Central United States, Eastern United States

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Prostrate, Spreading

Toxicity

Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Spring; Yellow in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Mealybugs , Scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

General care

Propagation

Soak and then sow at 21C in spring. Root stem segments in summer.

Propagation methods

Seed, Stem segments

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Opuntia humifusa (Eastern prickly pear) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Rock

Cultivation

A hardy cactus, grow in moderately fertile, sharply drained, gritty, humus-rich soil in full sun. Does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Protect from winter wet or overwinter in a cool, dry place. Site away from foot traffic as spines can lodge in skin. Stem segments tend to shrivel in autumn, bulking up again with spring moisture.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Opuntia humifusa (Eastern prickly pear)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/