prickly pear

noun

any of numerous cacti of the genus Opuntia, having flattened, usually spiny stem joints, yellow, orange, or reddish flowers, and ovoid, often edible fruit.
the usually prickly fruit of such a cactus.

prickly pear

any of various tropical cacti of the genus Opuntia, having flattened or cylindrical spiny joints and oval fruit that is edible in some species See also cholla nopal
the fruit of any of these plants

First recorded in 1605–15

It bears beautiful yellow blossoms in summer, after which comes the fruit, a prickly pear, not good to eat.

Near to the kopje there was a garden surrounded by low trees and a hedge of prickly pear.

The little cottage was shut in on one side by a hedge of aloes and prickly pear and on the other by high cliffs and precipices.

There was a prickly pear on top, the thorns of which caught him so that at first he could not extricate himself.

There are no walls, but great hedges of aloe and prickly pear serve as a sterner landmark.

Browse