Mojave Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha): A Variable, Widespread Prickly Pear with Edible Fruit

Mojave Prickly Pear, also called Tulip Prickly Pear or New Mexico Prickly Pear, is a highly variable species forming sprawling to upright clumps of green to blue-green pads. Spine color ranges from white to yellow to reddish-brown. Spring flowers are typically yellow, often with red centers, followed by fleshy, reddish-purple fruits that are edible and sweet. Native across the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, it’s a valuable wildlife plant and traditional food source.

Taxonomic Profile

Cultivation

Full sun, well-drained soil. Extremely drought and heat tolerant. Hardy to -10°F (-23°C). Use in naturalistic plantings, erosion control, and edible landscapes. Handle pads with tongs to avoid glochids.