Opuntia ×charlestonensis
(c) Mike Ostrowski, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Mike Ostrowski · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Opuntia ×charlestonensis is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by hybrid origin with distinctive spine coloration.
charleston prickly pear is a native shrub found in Mojave Desert regions in chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 45 to 2,220 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces clear yellow flowers with pale to dark red-purple bases that turn orange-red as they age. Growing with decumbent to spreading branches 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it features distinctive bone-white spines that are 4 to 5 centimeters long and often slightly twisted. Its segments are oval to obovate, ranging 10 to 25 centimeters long and colored gray to yellow-green, with 4 to 6 spines per areole covering most of the plant surface. The fruit is juicy and red-purple, approximately 3 to 3.5 centimeters long with green interior and 15 to 32 areoles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; hybrid origin with distinctive spine coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 45-2220 m
Outside California: southern Nevada, northernmost Arizona
Bloom period
Opuntia ×charlestonensis blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Cylindropuntia: Opuntia has flat paddle segments; Cylindropuntia has cylindrical stems with papery spine sheaths.; vs Echinocereus: Opuntia has flat pads; Echinocereus has cylindrical stems that branch into clusters.; vs Euphorbia: Opuntia has true spines from areoles on fleshy pads; Euphorbia has milky sap and no areoles.; vs Austrocylindropuntia: Opuntia has broad flat pads; Austrocylindropuntia has pencil-thin cylindrical stems.; vs Cephalocereus: Opuntia has flat jointed pads; Cephalocereus has tall unbranched columns with woolly hair.
Frequently asked questions
Is Opuntia ×charlestonensis native to California?
Yes. Opuntia ×charlestonensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia ×charlestonensis bloom?
Opuntia ×charlestonensis blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Opuntia ×charlestonensis belong to?
Opuntia ×charlestonensis is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
What habitat does Opuntia ×charlestonensis grow in?
Opuntia ×charlestonensis grows in Chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.