This prostrate to decumbent cactus has ovoid to flattened yellowish green segments with low densely spiny tubercles. It has pale grey needle-like spines and the funnel-shaped yellow to purplish flowers appear during early summer.

Hardiness zones 3 to 11 

Opuntia fragilis is naturally found in western North America from British Columbia to Texas and Arizona growing on the coast and on the mountains in woodlands or barren rocky outcrops and in grasslands. 

It prefers an open to exposed sunny position and grows in most very well drained, rocky to sandy soils that are moderately fertile and is frost and drought tolerant with the aid of tuberous roots. 

The Brittle Pricklypear Cactus is grown for its low spreading habit and flowers. It is planted in rockeries or cactus gardens as a ground cover and used as a potted specimen plant. It is suitable for low-mountain or coastal regions establishing in 2-3 years and is moderately long lived. It is ideal for arid gardens or low maintenance city roof gardens, requiring little care. ID 3107

Opuntia (o-PUN-tee-ah) fragilis (frah-GIL-is)    

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)