Opuntia humifusa
Common name: Eastern Prickly-pear
People typically don't think of cactus when they think of native plants of Illinois, but we have one here for you! Eastern Prickly Pear is native to the sandier and rocky areas of the state. The spectacular flowers are lemon yellow and smell great. Bees love this plant. If you are not lucky enough to be in a sandy soil area, then you can use a planter with a well drained set-up. Both the pads and the fruit are edible, just make sure you remove the spines first!
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Plant Details
Plant type
Forbs
Soil type
Dry, Dry Mesic
Light exposure
Eastern Exposure / Morning Sun, Full Sun, Partial Sun / Part Shade
Bloom period
Late Spring
Urban environment
Harsh Exposure Tolerant
Habitat
Prairie Grasslands, Sandy Soils
Growth form
Colonizing / Spreading
Growth rate
Slow
Flower color
Yellow
Fall color
None
Size
- Mature height
- 6 Inches
- Mature width
- 1 Feet
- Max height
- 10 Inches
- Max width
- 2 Feet
Additional information
Pollinator hot spot Edible fruit