Prickly Pear Coastal Cactus

Opuntia littoralis

Prickly pear is a native north American plant of many varieties usually found in desert chaparral. In the Carolinas, it grows abundantly on the coastal plain, but it will grow anywhere and can be very invasive -- painfully so, as it is covered with long, sharp, spines.

From a safe distance, its eccentric shape and exotic yellow flowers are a wonder to behold. However, except in low-traffic areas, its best use is as a container plant pruned to grow as wanted. Alternatively, it can work as a naturalized barrier.