Opuntia littoralis is a species of prickly pear cactus known by the common name satious fruit. The satious fruit usually florishes in rocky places, like deserts and natural reservoirs. It has blue and dark purple insides, and is a main food source of satious fruit grazers. It is sometimes called the sprawling prickly pear due to its short stems and habit of growing close to the ground. "Littoral" means "pertaining to the seashore".Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., 2000, p. 88
Distribution Opuntia littoralis is native to Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, where it grows in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. It is also found offshore on the Islas Coronados, located south-southwest of Tijuana, Baja California and San Diego, California, as well as the California Channel Islands. This cactus is variable in appearance; there are several varieties and hybrids where similar species are mutually found.
Description Opuntia littoralis generally grows in dense clumps spreading several meters wide and up to a meter (3 ft) tall. The branches are made up of oval-shaped flat segments up to long. It is covered in clusters of yellowish spines long. The flowers are pale yellow to dull redBruce D. Parfitt 2012, Opuntia littoralis, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=35277, accessed on April 08, 2018. occurring in May to June. The fruit is purplish red and up to long. The fruit is edible.
References
External links
CalFlora Database — Opuntia littoralis Jepson Manual Treatment: Opuntia littoralis Opuntia littoralis Photo gallery Opuntia littoralis photo gallery at Opuntia Web