# Plains Pricklypear (*Opuntia polyacantha*) The Plains Pricklypear is a fun cactus that grows in the wild! It has flat pads and bright yellow flowers that turn into tasty fruits called prickly pears. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 25 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Cactus Pear, Prickly Pear ![Plains Pricklypear](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Opuntia_polyacantha_ies.jpg&width=800) Photo: Frank Vincentz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opuntia_polyacantha_ies.jpg) ## Appearance The Plains Pricklypear has flattened, oval-shaped green pads covered in numerous sharp spines and tiny barbed glochids. Its striking yellow flowers, sometimes tinged with red, blossom from the edges of these pads. The plant often forms dense, low-growing clumps. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Cactaceae - **Genus:** Opuntia ## Interesting facts - Each spine on its pads is actually a modified leaf, hardened for protection! - Its fruits, called "tunas," are sweet and often purple or red! - Some Plains Pricklypears can grow to be over 20 years old! - Tiny, hair-like barbs called glochids are super tricky to remove from skin! ## Special abilities - **Water Storage Pads:** Plains Pricklypear has thick, succulent pads that store water, helping it survive long droughts. - **Spine Defense:** Its sharp spines and tiny glochids protect it from hungry animals looking for a watery snack. - **Deep Roots:** Plains Pricklypear has an extensive root system that effectively soaks up precious water from dry soils. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-60 cm - **Spread:** 50-200 cm - **Flower Size:** 4-8 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Early Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Javelina (*Pecari tajacu*) — fruit and pads provide vital water and food. - **Eaten by:** Black-tailed Prairie Dog (*Cynomys ludovicianus*) — consumes pads and roots. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — gathers nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** Western Bumblebee (*Bombus occidentalis*) — efficiently pollinates its vibrant blooms. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the spines on the cactus; they can be sharp! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Plains Pricklypear? Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Plains Pricklypear? 10-60 cm ### How wide does Plains Pricklypear spread? 50-200 cm ### How big are the flowers on Plains Pricklypear? 4-8 cm ### When does Plains Pricklypear bloom? Late Spring to Early Summer ### Is Plains Pricklypear edible? Yes ### Is Plains Pricklypear toxic? Mild ### What is Plains Pricklypear's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-national-monument-visitor-center-complex) — Colorado, US · National Park - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [Mormon Row Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mormon-row-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area) — Nevada, US · Nature Reserve - [Toadstool Geologic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toadstool-geologic-park) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve - [Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area) — Montana, US · National Park [View all places to see Plains Pricklypear](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plains-pricklypear) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Plains Pricklypear: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plains-pricklypear)