Botanical Name: Opuntia robusta
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Common Name: Giant Prickly Pear  
Plant photo of: Opuntia robusta
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  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Cactus

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, White

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Constant

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Very Low, Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Thorns/Spines

Design Styles

Spanish, Wild Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Silhouette, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Lot, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Kathleen Moore
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery
  • Description

  • Notes

This prickly pear large species, growing at a moderate rate to 10' x 10'. Individual pads can reach 1' accross and have many whitish spines. Has shrublike quailities. Yellow flowers are produced in the spring followed by large, red fruit. Will accept reflected sun. Native to central Mexico.
Frost tolerant to 15 F.