Opuntia phaeacantha
Brown-spined prickly-pear
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Opuntia phaeacantha (Brown-spined prickly-pear) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by spine distribution on segments and distinctive coloration.
Brown-spined prickly-pear is a California native shrub found in southern Coast Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, eastern Peninsular Ranges, desert mountains, and southern Desert regions in chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 45 to 2,220 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with a red base, 3.5 to 4 centimeters long, set against distinctive gray-green segments. Growing as a decumbent to spreading shrub 0.3 to 1 meter tall, it features segments 11 to 30 centimeters long with 1 to 4 spines per areole that are 3 to 8 centimeters long. Its segments are generally obovate, with spines ranging from red-brown near the base to white or straw-colored, creating a striking architectural form. The fruit is juicy and red-purple, 2.5 to 6.5 centimeters long, with green to dark red-purple interior and 15 to 32 areoles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; spine distribution on segments and distinctive coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 45-2220 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Los Angeles, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Kern
Outside California: to South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Opuntia phaeacantha blooms May-Jul.
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 phaeacantha native to California?
Yes. Opuntia phaeacantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia phaeacantha bloom?
Opuntia phaeacantha blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Opuntia phaeacantha grow?
Opuntia phaeacantha occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Los Angeles, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Kern, at elevations of 45-2220 m.
What plant family does Opuntia phaeacantha belong to?
Opuntia phaeacantha is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
What habitat does Opuntia phaeacantha grow in?
Opuntia phaeacantha grows in Chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland, pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.