Prickly Pear Cactus

Name: Prickly Pear Cactus

Scientific Name: Opuntia humifusa

Info: This low maintenance plant thrives in the coastal dune ecosystem.  A favorite snack for the native gopher tortoise, the small purple red fruits are edible but require some work to despine.  The color flowers bloom in early spring and summer are very colorful.  one of 12 native cacti in the state of florida, this plant has edible fruits called tunas and the pads nopalitos

Sightings: Beach/Dunes, behind Omni hotel