Tacinga palmadora

Scientific Name

Tacinga palmadora (Britton & Rose) N.P.Taylor & Stuppy

Synonym(s)

Opuntia palmadora

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Tacinga palmadora is a much-branched shrubby cactus with round to obovate or oblong stem segments. It grows up to 16.4 feet (5 m) tall. The segments are grey-green or bluish, green when young, up to 6.4 inches (16 cm) long, and up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) wide. The areoles are white with brown glochids. Spines are 1 to 4 (rarely 6), yellow, whitish when old, and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long. Flowers are brick-red to bright red. Fruits are greenish to reddish or purple and up to 2 inches (5 cm) long.

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 endemic to Brazil.