Opuntia monacantha (Drooping prickly pear)

Botanical name

Opuntia monacantha

Other names

Drooping prickly pear, Cochineal prickly pear, Barbary fig, Palma-brava, Kanwar gandal, Cactus monacanthus , Platyopuntia brunneogemmia, Opuntia vulgaris (misapplied), Platyopuntia vulgaris, Irish mittens, Joseph's coat

Genus

Opuntia Opuntia

Species

O. monacantha - O. monacantha is an upright, irregular, shrub-like, borderline hardy, evergreen perennial cactus with branched stems divided into flattened, fleshy, spiny, broadly ovate, bright-green segments. Red-flushed, yellow flowers in summer are followed by spherical, deep red fruit.

Native to

Central America, Mexico, Northern South America, Southeastern United States, Southwestern United States

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Irregular, Upright

Toxicity

Plant has spines; use extreme caution when handling.

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Colour

Flower

Yellow, Flushed red in Spring; Flushed red, Yellow in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Mealybugs , Scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

General care

Propagation

Soak and then sow at 21C in spring. Root stem segments in summer.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Opuntia monacantha (Drooping prickly pear) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Indoor, Rock

Cultivation

Grow under glass in cactus compost in full light. In the growing season, water when the compost is dry. Feed 3-4 times from early spring to mid-autumn. Outdoors, grow in frost-free areas in sharply-drained soil in full sun. Considered an invasive weed in many arid, introduced areas.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Opuntia monacantha (Drooping prickly pear)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/