Opuntia littoralis (Coast Prickly Pear)

Photographs

My photos:

This photo and the close-up below were taken at Torrey Pines in March.

This flowering O. littoralis was growing on the road leading to the Holy Jim Canyon trailhead.

More photos:

Las Pilitas has a photo of the flower.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Cactaceae

In the garden:

On the coast, this erect or spreading cactus grows 6 to 9 feet broad. It is armed with yellow spines. It blooms in June with yellow flowers. The fruit is edible. Use as a specimen plant in a rock garden or desert setting. Once established, it requires little or no water.

In the wild:

Found on dry bluffs and slopes near the coast. It can be distinguished from O. ficus-indica by its prostrate growing habit and by its spines.

Ethnobotany:

Seeds and fruit are edible and used for food by native people.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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