Spineless Prickly Pear (Opuntia stricta 'Spineless'): A Safe, Paddle Cactus

Opuntia stricta 'Spineless' is a cultivar of the erect prickly pear selected for its lack of long, sharp spines, retaining only the tiny, detachable glochids. Its pads are large, oval, and blue-green. It produces yellow flowers and reddish-purple fruit (tunas). This makes it a much safer option for high-traffic areas, children's gardens, and livestock fodder, while retaining the ornamental and edible qualities of the species.