Opuntiads of the USA

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Nopalea cochenillifera (Linnaeus) Salm-Dyck

Nopalea chchenillifera is found gardens in parts of Texas and Florida, and other frost-free or nearly frost-free growing areas. Additionally, it is grown as a pot plant in many areas. It is easy to grow, being tolerant of too much water and poor light. However, plants in poor light soon become spindly. The Flora of North America reports that it has naturalized in parts of Florida. The plant is represented by various cultivars grown mostly in the Americas in frost-free areas.

At one time N. cochenillifera was classified as an opuntia, but the distintive flowers are (no doubt) part of the reason it is placed into another genus. The red flowers are unusual for an opuntiad because the stamens and tepals collectively form a tubular structure. The flower is visited by hummingbirds.

In frost-free areas N. cochenillifera can easily grow to 10-ft-tall, forming a single trunk tree with pruning. If untended it may form a large jumble of cladoedes. In border areas (where the temerature can drops to about 22-26 some winters), N. cochenillifera many be frost pruned to form a short shrub.

In tropical areas of the Americas the plant is grown as fodder and as a green vegetable. It is particularly suited for consumption because many cultivars are nearly spineless and because young growth is free of troublsome glochids.

Nopalea cochenillifera, near Bellville, TX, pruned by cold winters to low shrub	Close-up if plant at left	Another close-up of flowers showing tubular flower
Variegated Nopalea cochenillifera at Caldwell Nursery, Rosenberg, TX	Close-up of cladode on plant at left, showing variegation pattern	Back lit variegated Nopalea cladode
Variegated Nopalea cochenillifera at Caldwell Nursery, Rosenberg, TX	Variegated Nopalea cochenillifera at Caldwell Nursery, Rosenberg, TX	Opuntia ficus-indica cultivar, can be confused with Nopalea
Nopalea cochenillifera forming a tree, in full bloom, in tropicalesque garden, Houston, TX (photo by Mike Burnett)		Cultivated Nopalea cochenillifera