Opuntia macrocentra

Purple Prickly Pear

Opuntia macrocentra, commonly known as Purple Prickly Pear is a real beauty displaying streamlined purple-blue pads with just a dash of nicely spaced, dark black spines. The purple color becomes more intense with cold temperatures or with drought- and if that isn’t enough, spring arrives with an explosion of some of the most beautiful flowers of the prickly pear family! They are large and brilliant yellow with a red throat-ring. Rarely gets taller than a couple of feet, but can spread slowly to about 6 feet wide. Hardy to 0 degrees; full sun. Appreciates extra waterings and fertilizer in spring and summer for lush stem color and masses of flowers.