Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus
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| Scientific name: |
Opuntia humifusa |
| Taxonomic group: |
Vascular Plants |
| Range: |
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| Status under SARA*: |
Endangered, on Schedule 1
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Last COSEWIC**
designation: |
Endangered (May 2000) |
*SARA: The Species at Risk Act
**COSEWIC: The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada |
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Photo |
Description |
Distribution and Population |
Habitat |
Biology |
Threats |
Protection |
Recovery Initiatives |
Recovery Team |
National Recovery Program |
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Description
The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is a low succulent plant. The green stems are flattened and are formed of segments; barbed bristles are found around the surfaces of the segments. Yellow to gold flowers are found along the margins of mature segments. The flowers are waxy and sometimes have red centers; they measure 4 to 6 cm wide. The juicy and edible fruit measures 3 to 5 cm. The fruit changes colour, from green to red, as it matures; fruit often remain on the cactus until the next spring. There are 6 to 33 seeds in each fruit; the small seeds are flat and of light color.
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Distribution and Population
The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus occurs in the United States from New England and Wisconsin south to Texas and Florida. In Canada, it only occurs in southwestern Ontario. By 1985, the plant was only found in Point Pelee National Park (where the population was fairly extensive and consisted of thousands of plants), and three other locations where the populations were small and vulnerable. Since then, the plants at two of the small sites have been determined to be transplants from Point Pelee. The third small site is in a very precarious state. The Point Pelee population appears to be in very good condition, but it is not known whether the population in the Park has declined, increased or remained stable.
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Habitat
The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus grows in dry sandy areas that are in the early stages of succession, usually sandy ridges or sandy dunes. Habitat changes that are detrimental to the cactus on Pelee Island and in Point Pelee Park are mainly habitat losses due to winter storms and natural succession by woody vegetation that shades out the cactus.
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Biology
The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus flowers in June. This plant does not tolerate shade. Reproduction occurs mostly through seeds. It is believed that insects are the main pollinators of the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. Small mammals, especially rabbits, are the main dispersers of the seeds.
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Threats
Loss of habitat is the most important limiting factor for the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. Habitat loss is due to both natural factors (shoreline erosion, especially during winter storms, and natural succession by woody vegetation) and human factors (trampling, logging, plantation activities, agricultural activity, leveling of sand dunes and use of fertilizers and herbicides). The collection of specimens for horticultural purposes is also posing a threat to the Canadian populations of the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus.
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Protection
The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). More information about SARA, including how it protects individual species, is available in the Species at Risk Act: A Guide.
The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus occurs in Point Pelee National Park, where it is protected by the Canada National Parks Act. It is also protected by the Ontario Endangered Species Act in specific locations. Under this Act, it is prohibited to kill, harm, harass, or collect this species, or to destroy its habitat.
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Recovery Initiatives
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Status of Recovery Planning
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Recovery Strategy:
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Name: An Ecosystem Based Recovery Strategy for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus - Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannas
Status: Draft completed
Number of Action Plans: 0
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Recovery Team
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus – Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannas
Vicki McKay - Chair - Parks Canada
Dawn Bazely - Member - University or college
Tammy Dobbie - Member - Parks Canada
Sandy Dobbyn - Member - Government of Ontario
Ross Hart - Member - Government of Ontario
Brian Huis - Member - Government of Ontario
Peter Kevan - Member - University or college
Lesley Lovett-Doust - Member - University or college
Jeff Robinson - Member - Environment Canada
Dean Ware - Member - Private consultant
Wasyl Bakowsky - Member - Government of Ontario
Allen Woodliffe - Member - Government of Ontario
Stephen J. Hecnar - Affiliate - University or college
Roy Isaac - Affiliate - Aboriginal group
Steve A Marshall - Affiliate - University or college
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