Opuntia engelmannii     
Engelmann's prickly pear   
Cactaceae Family     

Form: large segmented cacti, spreading upright form

flower on edge of pad of Opuntia engelmannii

Seasonality: evergreen
Size: 4-6ft, spread to 10-15ft; may form larger clumps
Leaves: thick pads, oval or rounded, aeroles 1-1.5in apart with glochids and spines at each aerole; spines usually white or tan, sometimes reddish or brown
Flowers: attractive, funnel-shaped yellow or orangy red flowers on perimeter (edge) of pads, to 3in across; bloom April to May
Fruit: edible fleshy fruit, egg-shaped, 3in long 1in across; green ripening to purple; much loved by wildlife
Stems/Trunks: occasionally forms somewhat woody stem at base (not a strong trunk former)
Range/Origin: throughout desert southwest US and Mexico, elevations of 1000-4500ft
Hardiness: to low teens

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• accent
• barriers
• favorite nesting site for packrats
• attractive food source for wildlife

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: natural rainfall; supplement in drought years
• Soil: adaptable, good drainage
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings (pads)
• Maintenance: minimal; difficult to clean up around base

Opuntia engelmannii

NOTES:

distinctive for the "Mickey Mouse"-like look of its pads

most common prickly pear

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This page was first created July 20, 2001 and last modified January 13, 2006.

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Weeb page design and photograph by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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