Tacinga inamoena

Scientific Name

Tacinga inamoena (K.Schum.) N.P.Taylor & Stuppy

Synonym(s)

Opuntia inamoena, Platyopuntia inamoena

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Opuntioideae
Tribe: Opuntieae
Genus: Tacinga

Description

Tacinga inamoena is a shrubby, much-branched, often spreading cactus that grows up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall and 11.7 feet (3.5 m) wide. The stem segments are grey-green to bluish-green, green when young, round to obovate or oblong, with slight protuberances on the surface. They are up to 6.4 inches (16 cm) long, 3.6 inches (9 cm) wide, and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) thick. The areoles are small, grey to yellow when young, and filled with minute yellowish-brown glochids. Rarely this plant develops 1 to 2 grayish-white, acicular spines up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long on some joints. The large and shiny flowers are brick-red or orange and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °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. If you live in a hot, arid area – particularly the American Southwest – 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.

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 northeast Brazil.