Opuntia fragilis
Brittle prickly-pear
(c) Aiva Noringseth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Opuntia fragilis (Brittle prickly-pear) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by small easily detached segments distinguish from other species.
Brittle prickly-pear is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native shrub found in western Cascade Range Foothills in the Shasta Valley, Siskiyou County, in juniper woodland at an elevation of 880 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with occasional red bases and white or red filaments. Growing as a low, decumbent-sprawling shrub with green segments 2 to 5.5 centimeters long, it features 3 to 7 spines per areole that are round, straight, and up to 3.5 centimeters long in shades of gray with brown tips. Its segments are generally elliptic-obovate, roughly equal in thickness and width, with subtle tubercles and terminal segments that detach easily. The fruit is approximately 1.3 centimeters long, dry and tan, with 19 to 21 areoles and sparse spines.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; small easily detached segments distinguish from other species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Juniper woodland
Elevation: 880 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Inyo
Outside California: to northern and eastern Canada, east-central United States, Texas
Bloom period
Opuntia fragilis blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 fragilis native to California?
Yes. Opuntia fragilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia fragilis bloom?
Opuntia fragilis blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Opuntia fragilis grow?
Opuntia fragilis occurs in Siskiyou, Inyo, at elevations of 880 m.
What plant family does Opuntia fragilis belong to?
Opuntia fragilis is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
Is Opuntia fragilis rare or endangered?
Opuntia fragilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.