Pike County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs

 Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia humifusa

The Eastern Prickly Pear is Pike County's only native cactus.  Found in sunny areas with shallow soils the cactus often surprises hikers walking along the cliffs of the Delaware.  The cacti are often found in colonies or as isolated specimen.  They blossom late Spring to early summer with bright yellow flowers up to 2 1/2 inches in diameter.  After pollination a purple-red seed pod or "pear" develops. 

Eastern Prickly Pears should not be tampered with.  They protected by state law and are having a tough time due to habitat loss and predation by deer.

                                          A patch of Eastern Prickly Pear                                                          Some isolated specimen

Cactus in full bloom.

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