It surprises many people to learn that cacti are native to Michigan. We have two native cactus species. On is the endangered Fragile Prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) which is known from two sites. Prickly-pear (Opuntia cespitosa) occurs in southwestern Michigan and Monroe County in the extreme southeast corner. Our plants were called Opuntia humifusa, but that name is now used for an east coast species.

Prickly-pear grows in sandy, well drained soil. It requires a sunny site to thrive. Although it is mostly spineless, Prickly-pear has fine sharp barbed hairs that are rather irritating to touch. Its showy yellow flowers last only a day.

I found a colony on a sunny hillside in Roscommon County. This station is farther inland than other reported locations. It might be a planted colony or simply an extension of its known native range. We will never know. The colony is expanding by seed into the dry ditch at the base of the hill. Seedlings and a few flowering plants grow among the grass and Bracken Fern.

 
Copyright 2021 by Donald Drife

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