Cactaceae

Opuntia ficus-indica

Common Names: Barbary fig

Plant Form: Succulent shrub or tree. Size: Up to 7 m tall. Stem: Bluish-green flattened pads 30-60 cm long with no or few short spines. Also develops a sturdy trunk with age. Leaves: Tiny, shed early on. Flowers: Conspicuous bright yellow, orange or reddish. Fruit and Seeds: Succulent egg to oval-shaped berries with tiny spines. May be orange, red or yellow. Habitat: Pastures, open woodlands, grasslands, rocky slopes. Distinguishing Features: Drooping prickly pear (Opuntia monacantha) generally has spines on its pads, and Common prickly pear (*O. stricta) is lower growing.

Yellow flowers

Fruit

Leaves - spines are very small

Growth habit