Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa), also called Devil's Tongue or Low Prickly Pear, is a cold-hardy cactus native to eastern North America. It forms low, spreading clumps of flattened, green pads (cladodes) with tufts of barbed glochids and occasional long spines.

Showy yellow flowers with red centers bloom in early summer, followed by edible red fruits (tunas). It is one of the few cacti that survives freezing temperatures (to -20°F or lower) by dehydrating its pads in winter.

Grow in full sun, very well-drained, sandy or rocky soil. Excellent for xeriscaping, rock gardens, and native plantings.