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Weed Description: A prostrate perennial cactus that is native to Virginia and most of the United States. Prickly pear has many pads (called cladodes) with tufts of needle-like spines. |
Prickly Pear: Opuntia humifusa
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Weed Description: A prostrate perennial cactus that is native to Virginia and most of the United States. Prickly pear has many pads (called cladodes) with tufts of needle-like spines. |
| Leaves: No true leaves are present. |  |
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Roots: A thick rootstock. Also, pads are able to root and in this manner facilitate the spread of this species. |
| Stems: Each 'pad' (or cladode) is a stem that is succulent, thick, and contains many individual spines. Upon closer examination, you can see that some of the spines (less than 1/2 inch long) actually consists of many very small 'needles' that can very easily stick in skin, clothing, fur, etc. Pads also contain some spines that are approximately 1 inch long that do not divide in this manner. Pads that become detached from the parent plant have the ability to root and form new plants in almost any location. |  |
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Fruit: A capsule that is cone-shaped and widest at the top, tapering to the base. Individual fruit are approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, fleshy, and turn red to maroon with maturity. |
| Flowers: Bright yellow in color, 2 to 3 inches wide, sometimes with a reddish center. |  |
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Identifying Characteristics: A low-growing cactus with showy yellow flowers and cladodes that have many individual prickles that consist of tufts of needle-like spines. Many prickly pear species occur in the western United States, however Opuntia humifusa is the only species that is native to Virginia. |