Cumulopuntia boliviana

Scientific Name

Cumulopuntia boliviana (Salm-Dyck) F.Ritter

Synonym(s)

Opuntia boliviana, Austrocylindropuntia boliviana, Cumulopuntia famatinensis, Cumulopuntia pampana, Maihueniopsis boliviana, Opuntia asplundii, Opuntia cylindrarticulata, Tephrocactus albiscoparius, Tephrocactus asplundii, Tephrocactus bolivianus, Tephrocactus cylindrarticulatus, Tephrocactus melanacanthus

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Opuntioideae
Tribe: Austrocylindropuntieae
Genus: Cumulopuntia

Description

Cumulopuntia boliviana is a cactus that forms large mounds of stem segments densely armed with golden-brown spines. It spreads up to 3.3 feet (1 m) in diameter. Stem segments are light green, elongate to ovoid, up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Spines are yellow to reddish-brown and up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. Flowers are yellow, rarely orange, pink, or red, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 8a to 11b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Though the large variety of species within the Opuntia genus means different types of prickly pears may need slightly different care, all are desert cacti that need lots of sun, lots of light, and very little water. So if you live in a hot, arid area, these plants can generally be planted outside, left alone, and enjoyed.

Though Opuntia will grow just fine in a garden, they can be grown in pots as well. To repot, ensure the soil is dry, remove the pot and knock away the old soil. After treating any cuts with fungicide, place the prickly pear in a new pot and backfill it with potting soil. As with a new cutting, make sure not to water a newly repotting prickly pear for a brief period to avoid rotting its roots.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Opuntia.

Origin

This species is native to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.