Opuntia microdasys

Bunny Ears

Accent

This evergreen cactus grows up to three feet high and five feet wide. Conspicuous tufts of yellow to light brown barbed bristles grow in a closely-spaced orderly arrangement over the pad surfaces. Though they may look relatively harmless, they easily detach and are extremely painful to remove once embedded in the skin.

Temperature

Hardy to 25F.

Water requirements

Established plants survive without irrigation. During long dry periods a fresh and lively appearance can be maintained with water once or twice a season. Container plants may need more water. Water only when wilting.

Sun

Full to reflected sun. Tolerates intense heat and aridity.

Soil

Most desert soils with good drainage.

Maintenance

Little other than occasional shaping to direct growth.

Disadvantages

Dangerous glochids. Susceptible to cochineal scale. Invasive.

Bloom

Yellow bloom in spring.

Uses

Container plant.

Origin

Native to Texas and northern Mexico. Member of the Cactaceae family.

Cultivars

'Albaspina' has white bristles and 'Rufidula' has reddish bristles.

Themes

Native, Desert Grassland, Desert, Desert Transitional.

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