This tender (USDA Zone 7) evergreen, spineless prickly pear cactus can grow up to 4 feet high with full sun and low moisture conditions. From late spring to early summer it produces attractive yellow blooms that mature to reddish- purple fruit known for their watermelon flavor.

One of many spineless prickly pear cactus bred and released by Luther Burbank as cattle forage in the arid Southwest around 1909, minute glocides (very small spines) must be burned off the pads before cattle will consume them. With its mucilagenous texture, it is somewhat like boiled okra.