Opuntia bigelovii var. bigelovii


Botanical Information

FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Speciesbigelovii
Varietybigelovii
SynonymsCylindropuntia bigelovii var. bigelovii
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginCalifornia and Arizona, United States of America.

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA small tree with a post-like appearance and a compact crown. It short branches are armed with extremely strong and sharp spines.
CultivationRocky ground or gravelly soils.
HabitatSouth facing hills and mountain slopes in the desert at an altitude of 30-600 m.
Leaf DescriptionShort branches with minimal re-branching, densely packed and obscured with straw coloured spines, spines turn black at maturity.
Flower DescriptionLight green or yellow flowers streaked with lavender, 2.4-4 cm in diameter, green filaments, 6 mm long and 5 thick stigmas, 3 mm in length.
Fruit DescriptionYellow or greenish-yellow, fleshy, tuberculate, 2 x 0.9 cm.

Photographs