Opuntia tunicata

Family

Cactacaea

Native

Mexico

Description

C. tunicata is a densely-branched shrub growing to 3 m wide. The easily-detached stems are 5 to 25 cm long by 1.5 to 2.5 cm wide. The areoles have 5 to 12 white to yellow spines which nearly obscure the stems. The specific epithet tunicata refers to the very large, loose spine sheaths. The flowers are greenish-yellow with yellow filaments, green to reddish styles, and greenish-yellow stigmas. The fruits are yellow or yellow-green, often reddish, and pulply. The fruits are sparsely-spined to spineless and are usually sterile.

Environment

A slow growing species,this plant needs regular watering during summers and should be kept dry during winters. A sun loving variety, it grows and glows better under full sun.

Landscape Uses

Usually these are outdoor plant, grass lands, landscapes.