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Spineless Prickly Pear

Opuntia ellisiana

Spineless Prickly Pear

About This Plant

Sun. Evergreen, with yellow and orange flowers and edible tuna fruits. The nopal pads are also edible. Spineless is a relative term when it comes to prickly pear; though it lacks long visible spines, the “eyes” (glochids) still bear irritating slivers and should be handled with care, even when wearing gloves. Pads can be safely held between the glochid dots (but don’t poke them in the eyes).

Origins: Cultivar

Maintenance

Prickly pear can be cut back as needed (even to the ground, to restart) or pads can be pick-pruned.

The not-so prickly pear.

Min. Height: 3

Max Height: 6 feet

Min. Width: 6

Max Width: 12 feet

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