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Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) with bumble bee
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) with bumble bee. Photo by Mary Free
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Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly-pear)

Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear in May
Buds of Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus) flowers in June. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2018-06-10, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.
Detail of Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus) flower. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2017-06-12, Glencarlyn Community Garden.
A bumble bee feeds on an Opuntia humifusa flower. Photo © Mary Free
Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear in the landscape
Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear fruit and thorns
Opuntia humifusa adorned with edible tunas (fruit) in the autumn landscape. Photo © Mary Free

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Eastern Prickly-pear cactus (formerly O. compressa) is unique. Its natural habitat* is in scattered pockets from Ontario, Canada, to Florida and Louisiana, rather than the Southwest. Though infrequent throughout Virginia, it is native to Fairfax and Prince William counties. Like many of its desert relatives, it is edible, but handle with care! Ground Cover Late Spring Flowers, Fall Mat with Fruit Height: 1⁄2–1 foot Spread: 1–3 feet Bloom Color: Yellow Characteristics Low-growing, clump-forming perennial cactus Flattened, fleshy, paddle-shaped pads covered with sharp spines and tiny, hair-like bristles in little tufts (glochids) Bright yellow flowers, 3-to-4 inches wide, in June and July, each blooming for just one day Edible bright red fruit (called tunas) ripen from early spring through late fall Attributes Tolerates drought, once set; intolerant of shade No serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage Ripe fruit, seeds and young pads edible** Glochids are barbed, hard to remove from hands & cause severe skin irritation so wear gloves when handling; **remove glochids before cooking pads Attracts butterflies and bees to flowers; birds and mammals to fruit and pads Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Well-drained Light Requirements: Sun Water Requirements: Dry Easy to grow (roots from pads stuck in ground) Use in “hell strips,” rock, or water-wise gardens Excellent Replacement for Delosperma species - Iceplant Lotus corniculatus - Bird’s Tree Trefoil Portulaca grandiflora - Moss Rose *It is common in the Coastal Plain of DE and rare in PA. It is infrequent throughout VA, although locally common in some areas. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–10 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Christa Watters (top) and Mary Free (bottom), Simpson Waterwise Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly-pear)

Eastern Prickly-Pear (formerly O. compressa) is unique. Its natural habitat* is in scattered pockets from Ontario, Canada, to Florida and Louisiana, rather than the Southwest. Though infrequent throughout Virginia, it is native to Fairfax and Prince William counties. Like many of its desert relatives, it is edible, but handle with care!

*It is common in the Coastal Plain of DE and rare in PA. It is infrequent throughout VA, although locally common in some areas.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

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