Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)

Educational Story The Prickly-Pear Cactus, Opuntia humifusa, is also sometimes called Devil’s Tongue, and grows in sunny, well drained soils across Florida. This cactus tends to grow in clumps and has large pads with tufts of spines and brilliant yellow flowers with orange-red centers. Cochineal insects that feed on Opuntia cactus was harvested in Florida in the 1700’s by the…