Prairie Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia macrorhiza)

Prairie prickly pear cactus (Opuntia macrorhiza) is a low-growing native cactus found throughout much of the Great Plains, including Nebraska. It forms spreading colonies of flattened green pads armed with spines and tiny barbed glochids. In late spring to early summer, plants produce large, showy yellow flowers that may occasionally display reddish centers. Following flowering, fleshy reddish fruits develop and provide food for wildlife. This species thrives in dry, well-drained soils and is commonly found on prairies, rocky hillsides, roadsides, and sandy sites.