Chaparral pricklypear
Opuntia oricola
Last reviewed: September 2026
Chaparral pricklypear (Opuntia oricola) is a perennial succulent native to CA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw native bees and honeybees.
Chaparral pricklypear (Opuntia oricola) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-09-22). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–96" H × 60"–144" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA
Pollinators
native bees, honeybees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A sprawling, mounding pricklypear cactus with flattened blue-green pads, large yellow spring flowers, and reddish-purple fruit.
Growing Chaparral pricklypear
Grow Chaparral pricklypear in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 60 to 144 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Chaparral pricklypear takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: back slope or side yard away from foot traffic.
- sharp spines and fine glochids pose an injury risk near walkways, play areas, or property lines
- can spread into a wide mounding colony over time
Wildlife value
Spring flowers are a strong source of pollen and nectar for native bees, and the fruit is eaten by birds, rodents, and other wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Chaparral pricklypear need?
- Chaparral pricklypear grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Chaparral pricklypear bloom?
- Chaparral pricklypear blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Chaparral pricklypear native?
- Chaparral pricklypear (Opuntia oricola) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Chaparral pricklypear toxic to dogs?
- Chaparral pricklypear is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Chaparral pricklypear toxic to cats?
- Chaparral pricklypear is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Chaparral pricklypear attract?
- Chaparral pricklypear draws native bees and honeybees.
- Is Chaparral pricklypear HOA-friendly?
- Chaparral pricklypear takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Chaparral pricklypear? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.