Plains prickly pear

Family: Cactaceae
Scientific name: Opuntia polyacantha
Description: Plant Form Upright succulent shrub or tree-like plant. Size Usually 2-3 m tall but up to 6 m. Stem Pads 10-45 cm long, mid to dark green, covered in bumps (areoles) which are wooly and have bristles. Also has a well developed trunk up to 25 cm thick covered in brownish spines 1-5 cm long. Flowers Yellow, with reddish stripes on outside. Up to 6 cm across. Fruit and Seeds Pear-shaped 4-7 cm long, green ripening to reddish-purple. Often forming chains. Habitat Dunes, pastures, riparian areas, woodlands, railways. Distinguishing Features Taller than Common pear (Opuntia stricta), more spiney than Indian fig (O. ficus-indica) and hairless, unlike Velvet tree pear (O. tomentosa).