Common name: plains prickly pear
Botanical name: Opuntia polyacantha
Light: full sun
Height: 3 – 9 inches
Water: low, drought tolerant
Soil type: well-drained gravelly soils
Perennial cactus with rounded paddles covered with thin 1/2″ to 1″ barbed spines; bright yellow flowers in midsummer fade to orange; spreads into mats; great for rock gardens; shrivels up in winter but comes back in spring
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