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Opuntia tomentosa

Woollyjoint pricklypear

Cactaceae Central Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Opuntia tomentosa is a tree-like succulent in the Cactaceae family reaching 6-20 feet (2-6 m) tall, with a distinct woody trunk and an upright branching crown. The flattened green pads (cladodes) are 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) long and covered in soft velvety hairs that give a dull, felted surface. Spines are few or absent on mature pads, but the pads carry clusters of small barbed bristles (glochids) that detach easily and lodge in skin. Orange to reddish flowers 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across open in spring and summer, followed by egg-shaped red to purple fruit 1.2-2 inches (3-5 cm) long. Growth is moderate to rapid where summers are warm, and detached pads root readily to form new plants. Opuntia tomentosa is a declared invasive weed across eastern Australia and is listed under state biosecurity legislation in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria; it forms dense infestations that exclude pasture and native vegetation.

Native Range

Native to central Mexico, where it grows in semi-arid scrub and tropical dry forest. Widely naturalized in Australia, South Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean following introduction as a hedge and fodder plant.

Suggested Uses

Historically planted as a stock-proof hedge and for fruit in its native range. Cultivation is restricted or prohibited in many regions because of its weed status. Where grown as a container specimen, it is held in heavy pots of at least 5 gallons (19 L) to limit spread.

How to Identify

Identified by the velvety, hairy surface of the green pads, which separates it from the smooth-padded Opuntia ficus-indica. Mature pads are mostly spineless but bear clusters of reddish-brown glochids. Flowers are orange to red rather than the yellow typical of many Opuntia spp. species, and the ripe fruit is deep red to purple.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 20'

Width/Spread6' - 13'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers in spring and summer, roughly October to February in the southern hemisphere. Individual blooms last 1-2 days, with the flowering period extending over several weeks. Fruit ripens through late summer and autumn and can persist on the plant for months.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange to red

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on free-draining sandy or rocky soil and tolerates extended drought once established. Frost below about 28F (-2C) damages the pads, causing soft brown collapse. Detached pads and fruit root where they fall, producing new plants from fragments. Because the species spreads from pad fragments and bird-dispersed seed, removed material regrows unless fully destroyed. Glochids detach on contact and lodge in skin, causing irritation that can last several days.

Pruning

Cut pads regrow from fragments, so prunings left on the ground establish as new plants. Removal of the entire plant including roots is needed to prevent regrowth. Mechanical damage to pads brings on branching from the wound.

Pruning Schedule

fall