Opuntia fragilis ‘Texada Island Form’

Fragile prickly pear (Opuntia fragilis) is widespread across western North America and occurs in all Canadian provinces from Ontario west plus the western half of the US. It has small pads that can be cylindrical (usually in the BC interior) or larger and somewhat flattened (BC coastal forms). The pads can be upright or prostrate. In summer they produce bright yellow cactus flowers. This is the most northerly of all cactus species occurring only 8 degrees of latitude south of the Arctic Circle in Alberta. Plant in full sun in sharply draining soil. ‘Texada Island Form’ was collected on this large island in the Straight of Georgia. It forms robust plants of quite large pads with large white thorns. Coastal forms may not be quite as hardy as forms collected in cold climates.