Most People Don't Know New Jersey Has Its Very Own Native Cactus And Here's Where You Can Spot It

When you think of cacti, you probably think of the desert, but there is a single species that is native to New Jersey…the Opuntia humifusa. It’s unique, beautiful, and the only native cactus found east of the Rockies, from Massachusetts southward to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas.

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These perennials bloom with beautiful yellow flowers (2-3 inches in diameter) in June and July. Each flower is diurnal and blooms for only one day. They can also produce red edible fruits. The flowers produce a sweet nectar that attracts bees, birds, and other pollinators. The plant is very intolerant of shade. It thrives in full sun and in hot and dry environments. Because of this, they're typically found near the beach.

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If you'd like to plant your own, they do best in sandy soil and rock gardens. They can also be grown in greenhouses and indoors, as long as they're exposed to a significant amount of light.

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They're quite popular on Long Beach Island, along the Sandy Hook Bay (check out the Dunes Loop Trail for cacti, honeysuckle, and wild roses - watch out for poison ivy), and south of the Cape May Canal. In North Jersey, they've been spotted in Long Pond Ironworks State Park (Ringwood/West Milford), along the Monk's Trail.

Have you spotted Prickly Pear Cacti in New Jersey? If so, where? Share your photos with us in the comments! To enjoy other beautiful yellow flowers in New Jersey, check out this Sunflower Festival in August.