Opuntia austrina
Florida pricklypear
Overview
Opuntia austrina is a low, sprawling prickly pear cactus in the Opuntia spp. genus, forming clumps 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) tall and spreading 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) wide. The stems are flattened, fleshy green pads (cladodes) 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, often lying along the ground or leaning on one another. Each pad bears scattered areoles with one to several stout spines up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long, along with tufts of tiny barbed glochids that detach easily and lodge in skin. Yellow flowers 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) across open at the pad edges in spring and early summer, followed by fleshy reddish-purple fruits 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long. The plant stores water in its pads and tolerates extended drought and sandy, nutrient-poor soil. It roots where pads touch moist ground, slowly enlarging the clump. The glochids and spines make handling difficult, and the sprawling pads can spread beyond their intended area. In wet, poorly drained soil the pads rot, so sharp drainage is needed.
Native Range
Opuntia austrina is native to the southeastern United States, centered in Florida and extending into Georgia and the coastal plain. It grows in sandy pinelands, scrub, coastal dunes, and other dry, open habitats.Suggested Uses
Opuntia austrina is used in cactus and succulent gardens, xeriscapes, coastal and sandy-soil plantings, and rock gardens in warm regions. Its drought and salt tolerance suit low-water and seaside beds. The pads and fruit are eaten by tortoises, birds, and other wildlife in native plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'6"
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in spring and early summer, mainly April to June. Cup-shaped yellow flowers open during the day along the upper edges of the pads, each lasting a day or two. Bees, especially native cactus bees, gather pollen from the flowers. Reddish-purple fruits ripen over summer into autumn and can persist on the pads.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Opuntia austrina grows in full sun and fast-draining sandy or rocky soil, tolerating heat, salt spray, and prolonged drought. Water is needed only during establishment and in extended dry periods, since the pads store moisture. Wet or poorly drained soil causes the pads and roots to rot, so sharp drainage matters more than fertility. New plants are started from detached pads laid on dry soil until roots form. In containers a gritty cactus mix and a pot with drainage holes suit it. It is hardy in USDA zones 8b through 11 and is damaged by hard, prolonged freezes.Pruning
Pruning is limited to removing damaged or excess pads, which detach cleanly at the joints. Pads are cut or snapped at the narrow joint between segments, with tongs used to keep the glochids off the skin. Removed pads can be rooted to start new plants or composted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons