Scientific Name
Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.) Pfeiff.
Common Name(s)
Bunny Ears, Bunny Ears Cactus, Bunny Cactus, Polka Dot Cactus, Bunny-ears Prickly-pear, Angel's Wings, Golden-Bristle, Golden-Bristle Cactus
Synonym(s)
Opuntia microdasys var. microdasys, Cactus microdasys
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Opuntioideae
Tribe: Opuntieae
Genus: Opuntia
Etymology
The specific epithet "microdasys" (pronounced "my-kro-DAS-is") means "small and hairy" and refers to this species' small pads, which are densely covered with clusters of glochids.
Origin
Opuntia microdasys is native to central and northern Mexico.
Description
Opuntia microdasys is a popular cactus that forms a dense shrub with branches composed of green, pad-like segments with no spines but numerous yellow glochids at each areole. It can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and up to 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. The stems are oval to round, measuring up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length and 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide.
The flowers are pure yellow or tinged with red, appear in summer, and can reach a length of 2 inches (5 cm) and a diameter of 1.6 inches (4 cm). They are followed by round to egg-shaped, red to purplish fruits that can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
How to Grow and Care
A spot near a south-facing unobstructed window will likely meet Bunny Ears Cactus's need for bright, direct sun—windows with western or eastern exposure run as the second and third choices. While an actively growing Bunny Ears Cactus tolerates indoor summer temperatures as high as 100°F (38°C), don't expect it to flower unless you also provide winter temperatures between 45°F and 55°F (7°C and 13°C). Regardless of the season, it likes humidity in the 10 to 30 percent range. Finally, if none of your windows provide adequate light, place the plant 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) below a cool white fluorescent tube for 14 to 16 hours daily.
The potting soil must drain quickly. Use a commercial cactus potting mix or mix your own. The best container for your cactus is a clay pot, slightly larger and deeper than the plant's root system. It must have drainage holes because a pot without them or a pot that's too large could make proper watering impossible.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Opuntia.
Varieties and Forms
- Opuntia microdasys var. albispina
- Opuntia microdasys var. pallida
- Opuntia microdasys var. pallida f. cristata
Links
- Back to genus Opuntia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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