Opuntia fragilis var. denudata ‘Bronze Beauty’

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. O. fragilis var. denudata ‘Bronze Beauty’ is a nearly thornless form with rounded pads with orange glochids. The pads turn reddish bronze in bright light or with stress. The flowers are pale yellow developing peach tones.