Assateague Ponies
of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands

Page 9

Along the Life of the Dunes Trail

Male Red Winged Black Bird

Opuntia compressa, or Prickly Pear cactus grows wild on Assateague Island in the sandy soil. It typically grows along the Mid-Atlantic Coast in sandy coastal dunes or shaly soils. It likes full sun and dry conditions. In the spring, this cactus produces yellow blooms, and its purplish fruits mature in the late summer and fall.  This cactus is a herbaceous perennial type of plant in the Cactaceae family. It typically grows 6-14" tall. It has good winter hardiness and is the only cactus to be widely found in the eastern US. It grows as far north as southern Ontario. It produces an edible pulpy, red fruit  which ripen in late summer to fall. The fruit is used to make candies and jelly.  In the fall, the pads become shriveled and begin to lay flat as the plant withdraws water in preparation for winter. The plants become quite scraggly in appearance during winter, but, the pads green up quickly in spring. It is technically an evergreen.

View on the northern Maryland end of Assateague Island looking towards the Atlantic Ocean

Assateague Island Page 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12

Assateague Island Info

Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV)

Horses with "Trailer Fear"

Wild Animals

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Reliability with Non-Canine Pets

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