Prickly Pear Cactus

Description:

The Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica (“Panini” in Hawaiian*) was introduced (ostensibly as cattle fodder) to the Hawaiian Islands early in the nineteenth century but is now naturalized on all the main islands. It prefers sunny open land on gentle slopes, although it is not unusual to see large mature plants clinging to nearly vertical cliff faces, particularly in drier leeward coastal areas.

Habitat:

Dry grassy hillside in Makapu'u Park