Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia cespitosa

''Opuntia cespitosa'', commonly called the eastern prickly pear, is a species of cactus native to North America. It most common west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River, where it is found in the Midwest, Upper South and in Ontario.
Prickly Pear At Lake Allen This is a picture of Opuntia cespitosa at Lake Allen on the North Tract of the Patuxent Research Refuge near Fort Meade, Maryland. Geotagged,Opuntia cespitosa,Spring,United States

Appearance

''Opuntia cespitosa'' is a prostrate succulent shrub, usually no more than 1-2 segments tall. It has large white spines, and a low layer of reddish-brown glochids, which break off in the skin if touched. It produces a yellow and red flower in late spring.
Prickly Pear Fruit This is a picture of Opuntia cespitosa on the North Tract of the Patuxent Research Refuge near Fort Meade, Maryland. Eastern Prickly Pear,Fall,Geotagged,Opuntia cespitosa,United States

Habitat

Its natural habitat is in dry, open areas, such as outcrops, glades, and barrens.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
SpeciesO. cespitosa
Photographed in
United States of America