This perennial cactus has a creeping to erect habit with flattened oblong, mid green segments that are covered in yellowish areoles with whitish bristles. The bright yellow flowers appear during summer and are followed by reddish rounded fruit.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Opuntia microdasysis naturally found in North America from northern and central Mexico (Hidalgo) but is now widely cultivated and has naturalised in Arizona.

It grows in arid or rocky places in a slightly shaded to a full sun position on very well drained moderately fertile gravelly soils and is drought tolerant but frost tender.

The Bunny-ears Pricklypear is grown for its spreading habit and flowers. It is planted in cacti or rock gardens as a specimen or as a container plant. It establishes from division in 2 to 4 years, spreading to form small clump. It is not suitable as a house plant as the bristles cause skin irritation if touched.ID 2047

Opuntia(o-PUN-tee-ah) microdasys (mik-rô-DAS-is)

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)