Scientific name:
Opuntia littoralis
Common name:
Coastal prickly pear, sprawling prickly pear
Range:
The coastline of southern California, south of Gaviota, including the Channel Islands
Form:
Spreading shrub, relatively low-growing, forming large clumps
Habitat:
Coastal bluffs and scrubland, up to 1,200 feet
Flowers:
Yellow to red, blooming between April and May
Distribution map for opuntia littoralis
Opuntia littoralis is found in a broad band along the coast of southern California, up to 50 miles inland, territory it shares with opuntia oricola and opuntia ficus-indica. This cactus forms large clumps, many feet across, rather untidy in appearance, and it blooms in late spring, producing large flowers colored various shades between yellow and dull red.
The ovate pads are up to 12 inches long and 5 inches across, crossed by neat rows of areoles (up to seven per row), bearing between four and 11 spines, white to pale yellow, often reddish brown near the base. The longest spines are around 1.5 inches, and angled outwards; shorter spines are reflexed. Fruits are reddish purple, with up to 36 areoles, some bearing a few short, bristle-like spines.
The ovate pads are up to 12 inches long and 5 inches across, crossed by neat rows of areoles (up to seven per row), bearing between four and 11 spines, white to pale yellow, often reddish brown near the base. The longest spines are around 1.5 inches, and angled outwards; shorter spines are reflexed. Fruits are reddish purple, with up to 36 areoles, some bearing a few short, bristle-like spines.
All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest | Comments and Questions | Contribute | Affiliate Marketing Disclosure | Site Map