Photo credit: Center for Urban Habitats
Characteristics:
Like its Western cousins, the Eastern Prickly Pear is a handsome cactus. The early summer blooms are particularly dramatic, and attract many interesting pollinators like hawkmoths and hummingbirds. The pads and fruit are edible (and delicious!) but be sure to cut or burn off all clusters of tiny stinging hairs before eating. Pads are very good sliced and fried or grilled, and the fruit makes a superior jam once seeds have been strained out.
Medicinal Properties:
The poultice of the peeled pads can be applied topically to heal wounds and warts.
Opuntia humifosa
Eastern Prickly Pear
Family: Cactaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: Up to 1’
Bloom: Yellow, May-July
Fruit: Purple
Water: Low
Sunlight: Full sun
Drought tolerance: high
Propagation: Seed or cutting
Soil: Sandy or rocky, well-drained
