Perennials, Tropicals > Opuntia > Opuntia cochenillifera > Opuntia cochenillifera
Opuntia cochenillifera
Cochineal Pricklypear
Origin: Southeastern United states of America and tropical Mexico.
| Family |
| Cactaceae |
| Genus |
| Opuntia |
| Species |
| cochenillifera |
| Category |
| Perennials, Tropicals |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 9a - 10b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H3 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -1 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 12 |
| Height |
| 6 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| Landscape |
| In potted succulent collections, as an accent "tree" in rock gardens, containers, large scale potted patio plant or as a specimen. |
| Cultivation |
| Plant in loose, gravelly well-draining cactus-type soil in full sun. |
| Shape |
| Upright to low-spreading. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| Habitat |
| Dry gravelly slopes. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Rugged succulent bark. |
| Leaf Description |
| Lanceolate succulent leaves with a rounded apex. |
| Flower Description |
| Solitary cupped blooms with pronounced stamen. Petals are obovate-rounded in shape and form in loose false rosettes around the stamen. Blooms can be found throughout the plant. |
| Fruit Description |
| Small prickly pears borne after flowers bloom. |
| Colour Description |
| Pale to sage green foliage. Dull tan to medium green succulent bark. Bright persimmon orange blooms. |
| Texture Description |
| Smooth to rugged. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America. |
| Propagation |
| Propagate from woody stem, softwood, semi-hard cuttings. |
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