Plant Database

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Opuntia chlorotica

Opuntia chlorotica Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow

Clock-face Prickly-pear, Dollarjoint Pricklypear, Pancake Pear, Silver-dollar Cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: OPCH

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Clock-face prickly-pear or pancake pear is an erect, tree-like cactus, 3-8 ft. tall and almost as broad, with a stout trunk and ascending branches. Joints are yellow-green and flat. The flowers are yellow and followed by fleshy, purple-tinged fruit.

The pads of this prickly pear are almost perfectly round, giving rise to its common name. It is usually found growing on very steep hillsides in mountainous terrain and is widespread throughout much of the Southwest. The Pancake Prickly-pear is an erect shrub or small tree, and its areoles contain numerous yellow glochids and several golden spines. This prickly pear makes a very attractive ornamental. It blooms in May.