Skip to main content

Engelmann’s Prickly Pear


Engelmann’s Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) is common across the Southwestern United States and into Mexico. At the base of the nearby west-facing foothills of the Sandia and Manzano mountains of central New Mexico it can be found growing in association with Gray Oak, Turbinella Oak, Pinon Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Mahonia, Tree Cholla, and Bear Grass. Engelmann’s Prickly Pear is also commonly called Texas Prickly Pear, Desert Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear, and Nopal.


Engelmann’s Prickly Pear forms clumps 3’ to 4’ tall and wide or larger. Engelmann’s Prickly Pear does not form stalks, like yuccas, but adds new prickly pear pads annually to existing pads.
 
Pads are normally a pale green color and can have a diameter of up to 12”.
 
 
Engelmann’s Prickly Pear has long white or yellow spines and clusters of smaller hair-like spines called glochids. Each cluster contains numerous glochids that easily come off into the unprotected skin and causes irritation. Glochids may be difficult to see but you can definitely feel their presence. They can be easily removed with tweezers.


Engelmann’s Prickly Pear produces yellow flowers in spring or early summer.


Red-purple fruits called tunas form by summer.

 
Tunas of Engelmann’s Prickly Pear are edible after removing any surface spines or glochids. This is easily done by burning them off over a fire. Fruits are also used to make jelly, cactus candy, and syrup.


Engelmann’s Prickly Pear is a low maintenance, colorful addition to any hot, dry, landscape. It needs only occasional watering during summer. It is also useful as a defensive perimeter anywhere you want to discourage movement, under windows, walkways, or walls. Eventually your prickly pear may need reduction in size. This is easily done using Barbeque (BBQ) Tongs and Pruning shears. Hold the pad with BBQ tongs and cut pads at the point of connection to another pad.


Over winter Prickly Pear pads droop. Winter droop (wilt) is normal and does not indicate any growth problems. As the warmth of spring returns and water movement within the plant resumes your prickly pear will again perk up.

Engelmann’s Prickly Pear is best grown in full sun, with low water, and is hardy to USDA zone 6.

Stop by Trees That Please Nursery for more information and availability.


Photos & Narrative By:
Stephen Sain
Staff Plant Physiologist

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Question: How close to my house can I plant a Cottonwood tree?

Cottonwoods grow to be immense trees attaining dimensions of up to 40 - 50 feet tall and wide with a root system to match. Cottonwoods have a surface root system that can heave sidewalks, crack walls and home foundations if planted too close. Cottonwoods should be planted a minimal distance from structures of at least 25 feet if not further. Trees That Please Nursery carries two varieties of cotton-less, Cottonwood Trees. Please contact us or stop by the store for more information.
Post a Comment
Read more

Afghan Pine

The Afghan Pine ( Pinus eldarica ) is also known as Desert Pine, Eldarica Pine or Mondell Pine. Afghan Pine is native to low rainfall areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and southern Russia . In fact, when planted in areas of high rainfall (> 20” per year), it becomes susceptible to a number of diseases and rapidly declines. This problem has occurred in East Texas.   The Afghan Pine thrives in heat, wind, and tolerates drought. Afghan Pine must be planted in soils with good drainage like sand. It is not suitable for poorly drained heavy clasy soils. Afghan Pines are generally pyramidal or Christmas tree shaped in form when young   becoming more oval or irregular with age. The leaves of the Afghan Pine are evergreen needles usually found in groups of 2 per fascicle or sheath. Needles are shed after several years and make excellent mulch as they fall around the trees base.   It has attractive trunk bark that becomes dark and furrowed with...
4 comments
Read more

All About the Shantung Maple!

             The Shantung Maple ( Acer truncatum ) is also known as the Purple Blow Maple due to the color of its newly emerging leaves which are red-purple (see photo below). These young expanding red-purple leaves change to green as they mature. Leaves are small, about the size of Japanese Red Maple leaves, perhaps 3’-4’ wide at maturity.    The Shantung Maple grows 1′-2′ annually reaching 25″ tall and wide.    This is our tree for all planting situations. This Maple does well in heavy clay, sandy soils, full sun, or part shade. It can be planted in a lawn or next to a hot asphalt street (see photo below). It seemingly is a happy tree enjoying life wherever it is placed.    One place we would not recommend planting this tree is in a rockscape which is just too hot and inhospitable to support this beautiful tree.               A smaller tree, the Shantung Ma...
Post a Comment
Read more