General Description | Opuntia microdasys is a low-lying cactus shrub-like plant. |
Shape | Upright-spreading. |
Landscape | As an accent plant or barrier plant for desert gardens, in potted succulent collections, as a potted indoor or patio plant or as a specimen. |
Propagation | Cuttings. |
Cultivation | Plant in well-draining cactus mix, gravelly or sandy soils in full sun. Repot annually to encourage growth. |
Notable Specimens | Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona, the United States of America. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
Habitat | Desert hills and arid uplands. |
Leaf Description | Cladodes are 6 - 15cm in length and 6 - 12 cm in width, velvety, rounded, with apparent glochids and sometimes one short spine. |
Flower Description | Open cup-shaped blooms showing at the edges of cladodes. |
Fruit Description | Nearly globose, 3 cm in diameter, fleshy, red to purple-red. |
Colour Description | Medium to sage green succulent flesh. Brownish-orange areoles and spines with yellow to red blooms. |
Texture Description | Coarse. |