Opuntia polyacantha (Prickly Pear Cactus) - photos and description
General: Prairie cactus with a prostrate growth habit, clump-forming.
Flowers: Flowers single on the top of pads, sessile, waxy, bright yellow. We measured a flower to 7 cm diameter.
Leaves: Pads cuneate to orbicular, measured to 9 cm long and 8 cm wide. The pads have long spines, I measured spines to 3.5 cm long.
Height: Not applicable.
Habitat: Dry prairie, hillsides, badlands, and light soils.
Abundance: Common.
Origin: Native.
When and where photographed: Took the above photos on a stony clay hillside, June 20th, Buffalo Grass Eco Reserve, 200 km southeast of Regina, SK, June 26th, clay flats near Claybank, about 70 km south of Regina, SK, and June 29th, dry prairie pasture about 200 km southeast of our home in Regina, SK.