Prickly pear, any member of a genus (Opuntia) of flat-stemmed spiny cacti (family Cactaceae), native to the Western Hemisphere. The name refers to the edible fruit of certain species, especially the Indian fig (O. ficus-indica), which is an important food for many peoples in tropical and subtropical countries. When Opuntia species were first introduced to Australia and southern Africa by early explorers, they prospered; having left behind their natural parasites and competitors, they eventually became pests. In some cases they have been brought under control by introducing moths of the genus Cactoblastis.Engelmann prickly pear (Opuntia engelmannii)Engelmann prickly pear (Opuntia engelmannii)Grant Heilman PhotographyThe Indian fig is bushy to treelike, growing to a height of 5.5 metres (18 feet); it bears large yellow flowers, 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) across, followed by white, yellow, or reddish purple fruits. It is widely grown in warmer areas for the fruit and as a forage crop. The hard seeds are used to produce an oil. Because of their high water content, the stems, especially of spineless varieties, are used as emergency stock feed during drought.Some Opuntia species are cultivated as ornamentals and are valued for their large flowers. They are easily propagated from stem segments. Two of the best-known species, Engelmann prickly pear (O. engelmannii) and the beaver tail cactus (O. basilaris), commonly occur in the southwestern United States.This low, spreading cactus with short bristles grows 6 to 12 inches high and up to 6 feet wide. The gray-green, jointed stems are wide and flat resembling the tail of a beaver.
Oval in shape, the stems are 1 to 6 inches wide and 2 to 13 inches long. The stems grow in clumps with flowers from the top edge of the joints. Flowers are followed by a brownish-gray, oval fruit more than an inch long with many seeds.