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Opuntia × columbiana

columbia pricklypear

Cactaceae Interior Pacific Northwest

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Opuntia x columbiana, Columbia pricklypear, is a low, cold-hardy cactus of hybrid origin between brittle prickly pear O. fragilis and plains prickly pear O. polyacantha, native to the interior Pacific Northwest. It forms a low, sprawling mat 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) tall and 1–3 feet (30–90 cm) wide of jointed, flattened to slightly rounded green pads 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long. The pads carry areoles with several stiff spines and tufts of small barbed glochids. In early summer it bears cup-shaped yellow flowers 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) across, sometimes with reddish centers, followed by dry, spiny fruit. It grows in full sun on dry, rocky, fast-draining soils of sagebrush steppe, bluffs, and grassland, and withstands cold winters and prolonged drought. As a hybrid it is variable and intermediate between its parents, so identification rests on pad shape and spine detail. Wet or poorly drained ground, especially in winter, causes rot. The detachable pads and barbed glochids cling to skin, fur, and clothing.

Native Range

Opuntia x columbiana is native to the interior Pacific Northwest, including the Columbia Plateau of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and into British Columbia, where its parent species overlap. It grows in dry sagebrush steppe, grassland, and on rocky bluffs.

Suggested Uses

Used in cold-hardy rock gardens, dry and gravel gardens, green roofs, and native steppe plantings, spaced 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) apart. The flowers draw native bees in early summer. Spines and glochids make it less suited to areas with foot traffic, pets, or children.

How to Identify

A low, mat-forming cactus of green pads 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long with several stiff spines and tufts of small barbed glochids per areole. Cup-shaped yellow flowers 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) across, sometimes red-centered, open in early summer, followed by dry, spiny fruit. The intermediate pad shape and spine count sit between the small brittle prickly pear and the larger plains prickly pear.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers open in late spring and early summer, mainly May to July, each lasting a day or two. The yellow blooms can carry reddish centers and open over a couple of weeks. Dry, spiny fruit follows and persists on the pads.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, sometimes red-centered

Foliage Description

green pads

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Growth is strongest in full sun on dry, rocky, sharply drained soils, including sand and gravel. Established plants need no irrigation and tolerate hard freezes and long drought, which suits cold, dry-winter regions. Wet or poorly drained soil, especially over winter, is the main cause of rot. No fertilizer is needed. Pads root where they fall, so the mat slowly widens. It is hardy well into cold-winter zones, roughly USDA zones 4 to 8. The barbed glochids and detachable pads are a hazard near walkways and play areas.

Pruning

Pruning is seldom needed; individual pads are removed at the joint with tongs to shape the mat or limit spread. Rotting or damaged pads are cut out at the base to stop rot from spreading. Removed pads root readily and are kept off open ground if regrowth is unwanted.

Pruning Schedule

summer