Opuntia chlorotica
Pancake prickly-pear, Pancake Prickly-Pear
(c) Andrew Dudley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Opuntia chlorotica (Pancake prickly-pear) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by tree form and round segments diagnostic.
Pancake prickly-pear is a California native tree found in eastern Peninsular Ranges and desert mountain regions in pinyon/juniper woodland, desert scrub edge, and chaparral at elevations of 600 to 1,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this distinctive cactus produces yellow flowers with white filaments and yellow-green stigmas. Growing as a tree-like plant with ascending branches 1.5 to 2 meters tall, it features segments that are generally round and 13 to 20 centimeters long. Its areoles bear 3 to 8 translucent yellow spines up to 5 centimeters long, which are generally straight and slightly reflexed. The fruit is approximately 4 centimeters long with a purple-red exterior, white middle layer, and pink seed-pulp, creating a striking visual contrast.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; tree form and round segments diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon/juniper woodland, desert scrub edge, chaparral
Elevation: 600-1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego
Outside California: to Nevada, New Mexico, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Opuntia chlorotica 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 chlorotica native to California?
Yes. Opuntia chlorotica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia chlorotica bloom?
Opuntia chlorotica blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Opuntia chlorotica grow?
Opuntia chlorotica occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, at elevations of 600-1300 m.
What plant family does Opuntia chlorotica belong to?
Opuntia chlorotica is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
What habitat does Opuntia chlorotica grow in?
Opuntia chlorotica grows in Pinyon/juniper woodland, desert scrub edge, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.