Brown-spined Pricklypear

Also known as Brown-spine Prickly Pear, Tulip Prickly Pear, Desert Prickly Pear, Mojave Prickly Pear

Brown-spined Pricklypear forms low, spreading thickets across North American deserts and dry grasslands, recognizable by its dark reddish-brown central spines and flattened pads. Spring brings spectacular cup-shaped yellow blossoms with reddish centers that attract a wide array of native bees and beetles. In response to winter cold and drought stress, the green pads often produce protective pigments that turn the plant striking shades of purple.