About Opuntia oricola Philbrick
Opuntia oricola Philbrick is a large, treelike cactus that often grows taller than 2 meters. Its branches are composed of rounded, flat segments that can reach up to 25 centimeters in length. The cactus is covered in clusters of curved, yellowish spines that are usually around 2 centimeters long. Its flowers are yellow, and sometimes have an orange tinge. It produces spherical fruits that are purplish red on the outside, whitish and juicy on the inside, and grow up to 6 centimeters long. This species was once common along the coasts and adjacent inland areas of California, but human development has reduced its populations. Opuntia oricola is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats.
