Also known as Opuntia compressa or Opuntia rafinesquei, this cold hardy cactus features flat, fleshy oval pads that are about 25 cm long, 15 cm wide, and 3 cm thick, covered in fine barbed bristles. New growth emerges a fresh mid-green, while older pads take on a bluish-green hue. In late spring to early summer, waxy yellow flowers bloom singly or in small clusters along the top edge of each pad, though each bloom lasts only a day. These are followed by small, oval, bristly red fruits that turn yellow when ripe and are edible. An evergreen species, this cactus is exceptionally drought-tolerant and well-suited to dry, sunny environments.

Native to Ontario.

Thrives in at least a half day of sun in dry, sandy or rocky soils. Loamy soils are tolerated if well-drained. Can be found in sandy woodlands, prairies, rocky bluffs, sand dunes, and gravelly areas along railroads.