Opuntia strigil

Marblefruit Prickly Pear, Marblefruit Opuntia, Bearded Prickly Pear, Bearded Opuntia
Size
ex 1.5L pot - Large
Availability: In stock
£26.99
Quick Overview
  • Vigorous hardy Prickly Pear
  • Erect bushy habit with long central spines turning dark brown
  • Full sun
  • Drought resistant
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Opuntia strigil, Marblefruit Opuntia, is a tough hardy Prickly Pear from southwest Texas with a range that stretches from the Pecos River in the east across to El Paso in the west and is concentrated north of the Big Bend, often at elevations up to 1300m. It has cladodes that become rounded and circular with reddish-yellow spines and long central spines that turn dark chocolate brown as they age. This distinctive colour of these mature central spines is a useful first point of reference in identification. The areoles become woolly and the glochids - as far as glochids go - are not quite as troublesome as those of some species. The pale creamy yellow flowers are followed by spherical fruits hence the common name, Marblefruit Prickly Pear.

Opuntia strigil requires a gritty gravelly alkaline substrate with added limestone. It must drain freely, particularly in a typically wet British winter. Plant it in a sunny sheltered aspect or a south-facing gravel bed, ideally one that is raised or on a steep gradient that will help to keep it well-drained during the worst of the winter weather.

Opuntia strigil is a tough vigorous Opuntia that forms a low wide bush and is capable of withstanding prolonged drought and extreme sub-zero temperatures. But it does need to be as dry as possible from October through to late February.


Additional Information

Order Caryophyllales
Family Cactaceae
Sub-Family Opuntioideae
Geographical Origin USA: Texas
Cultivation Full sun. Warm sheltered aspect. Well-drained gritty alkaline substrate. Keep completely dry in winter from October through to late February
Eventual Height 1 m
Eventual Spread 1 m
Hardiness Hardy down to about -15C if kept perfectly dry. Fleece in colder weather. Mulch heavily with grit or gravel
Opuntia strigil
Marblefruit Prickly Pear, Marblefruit Opuntia, Bearded Prickly Pear, Bearded Opuntia
Size
ex 1.5L pot - Large
Availability: In stock
£26.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
2  Reviews
Rating:
100% of 100
Add Your Review
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