Category: Seminum | Sub-Category: Perennials for Sun
Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Opuntia humifusa
Family: (Cactaceae)
Native perennial to 18″ spreading to 3′. Eastern Prickly Pear/Devil’s Tongue. The segmented pads of Opuntia are actually swollen stems partially inserted in the ground from which 1 to 2 sessile pads may develop from its upper curved margin. Each pad is 2 to 7 inches long, obovoid and somewhat flattened. Pad surfaces are medium green to bluish green with areoles (air pores) scattered in diagonal rows across the surface. The areoles have small tufts of brown barbed bristles (glochids) from which a hardened spine, up to four inches long, emerges. One or more greenish and fleshy flower buds up to two inches long can develop along the upper curved margin of each pad. The buds open to reveal two to three-inch flowers of satiny, yellow tepals in whorls. The inner most whorl is orange-red at the base. A ring of showy, yellow stamens surround a single pistil, the style is held above the stamens and at the apex is a ring of stigmas resembling a crown. Striking reddish-coloured, edible fruit follows. Young pads are also edible. This species has adapted to cold winters by withdrawing most of the water from their pads in autumn so that they become shriveled to avoid freeze damage, giving them a wrinkled appearance. Full sun, dry well-drained soil. 2B & 4 & T3