Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia stricta is a moderate growing native cactus that grows 3-6ft tall and about as wide. It prefers full sun and dry, well-drained soils, though it can handle periodical inundation. It can make a unique, informal shrub or specimen plant in the landscape. It blooms all year with a peak in Spring-Summer, and produces red edible fruits that are mild in flavor. Prickly Pears typically have long yellow spines as well as smaller, hair-line spines; be careful when handling!