Brown-spined pricklypear
| Botanical Name | Opuntia phaeacantha |
| Common Name | Brown-spined pricklypear |
| Family | Cactaceae - Cactus |
| Description | The spines are usually brown but can be red or white. The pads are mottled green, yellow or blue-green. In winter they are reddish. |
| Mature Size | Clumps are sometimes many feet in diameter. |
| Bloom | Spring and summer. Flowers are yellow to yellow-orange and about 2" wide. Fruits are purple and juicy. |
| Interesting Facts | The Opuntia phaeacantha is the most common pricklypear in this area. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | The fruits are very sweet and are used to make jelly, jam, candy and pickles. Fruit juice can be used as a red dye. Bites taken from the pads are the work of rabbits, deer, squirrels, and mice. Javelinas love them. |
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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