Since the cactus is a plant, it does flower. The fruits that are produced after the cacti flowers contains seeds. Seeds are usually dispersed by birds who consume the fruit.
Prickly Pear Cactus fruit
it makes fruits from flowers that have seeds in them.
The prickly pear cactus propagates and spreads in its natural environment through a process called vegetative reproduction. This occurs when a segment of the cactus pad breaks off and falls to the ground, where it can take root and grow into a new plant. Additionally, the cactus produces flowers that are pollinated by insects, leading to the development of fruits containing seeds that can be dispersed by animals or wind, helping the cactus spread to new areas.
No, cactus Pears aren't fruits. The term refers to the spiny pads of the prickly pear cactus [Opuntia spp]. The pads may be prepared and served as vegetables. It's the plant's berries that are the plant's fruits.
Yes, prickly pear fruits develop on a number of cactus plants and are edible.
No, cactus fruits aren't poisonous. The concern is flavorability, not poisonousness. Some of the fruits are more flavorful than others. Some fruits are more flavorful when they're a certain color. For example, in the range of colors from green to purple and red of the prickly pear cactus [Opuntia spp], the darker colored fruits are considered less tasty.
Definitely Not!
To effectively harvest prickly pear fruits without getting pricked by the thorns, wear thick gloves and use tongs or a fork to carefully pluck the fruits from the cactus. Be cautious and move slowly to avoid getting pricked.
The fruit of the barrel cactus [Ferocactus spp] are small berries. They show up in summer. Their appearance is preceded by the plant's large, bell or funnel shaped flowers that tend towards violet or yellow. A barrel cactus also may be found in the Echinocactus genus. This type of barrel cactus is characterized by open faced flowers that range from golden yellow to purple red. The blooms aren't followed by fruits. Instead, they're succeeded by papery seedpods.
The prickly pear (Opuntia) is one of the most widespread cactus species, found across North and South America, as well as in some parts of Europe, Africa, and Australia. It is known for its flat pads and colorful fruits, and has adapted well to a variety of climates and habitats.
Generally, the Prickly Pear Cactus, a member of the Opuntia family, will need to be at least 3 years old before it will begin to produce flowers. These will usually be bright yellow, depending on the variety of Prickly Pear and the climate. Sometimes, even an Opuntia that is of adequate age and maturity will fail to produce flowers, such as if there hasn't been enough moisture for the year, or if it receives inadequate sunlight. When the Prickly Pear does bloom, the small, thumblike protrusions that the flowers grow on will become the fruit, the "Prickly Pear", for which the Cacti is commonly named. These fruits generally take 3 to six months to fully ripen, again dependent on the species. Usually, a healthy, mature plant will produce flowers in early Spring, with the fruits being ripe and ready to consume by late Summer to early Fall. It's worth noting that cuttings from a mature plant will mature and produce flowers much more rapidly than growing from seed, in fact the Prickly Pear I am currently caring for was cut from the mother early March, and by May had already produced flowers, and the beginnings of fruits. This is because the cacti I took my cuttings from was already older and mature. I placed "my" cactus in direct, all day sunlight. Although my Opuntia is well on it's way to producing fruit, the mother plant has yet to produce a single flower. This is proof of the importance of climate, as even a mature plant may not flower if the sunlight is inadequate. So, basically, your Prickly Pear will produce fruits as soon as it is old enough, which may be immediately if grown from cutting, and the fruits will begin to form in early Spring, maturing by Fall. Again, the climate and sunlight will have a HUGE effect on the timing, so make sure your Opuntia receives as much sunlight as possible, and don't over-water. Try to find a wild cacti from your area to take a cutting from, as these will already be acclimated to your environment, and will grow more vigorously.