Skip to main content

Black-Spined Prickly Pear


Black-Spined Prickly Pear (Opuntia macrocentra) is also commonly called Purple Prickly Pear or Nopal Violaceo. Black-Spined Prickly Pear typically has long black spines only on the upper surfaces of each pad.


It is one of the more beautiful New Mexico native prickly pear species. It does very well in the Central Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico growing to about 3 feet high with a wider spread but can be kept smaller by pruning. Use Barbeque tongs and pruning shears to prune.

 
This prickly pear produces yellow flowers with reddish centers in late spring / early summer. After flowering it produces a fruit or tuna which turns red at maturity. The fruits of this prickly pear are not usually eaten as they quickly dry , shrivel, and are filled with seeds.


During winter, the cooler temperatures cause the pads to turn beautiful shades of pink, purple, and blue-green. Pads re-green in spring with the warmer temperatures. We have observed that during winter, pad droop (wilt) is usually less than other prickly pear species making it a good year-round addition for your xeric landscape.

This prickly pear requires very little water and does best in well-drained soils. Black-Spined Prickly Pear is hardy to USDA Zone 6.

Contact Trees That Please Nursery for more information, availability, and pricing.

Photos & Narrative By:
Stephen Sain
Staff Plant Physiologist

Comments

Chaparral Earth said…
Most of the native Purple Prickly Pear I've ever seen is in the areas in and around Tucson, especially Saguaro National Monument. Beautiful Cactus.


Over in Tenerife this past February 2012, I collected a variety of Prickly Pear which unbelievably is bright rich green with long bright yellow spines. Smuggled it back here to Sweden in a heavy duty brown paper bag. Can only imagine what it must have looked like under the X-Ray machine.

Actually grew a newer pad for me this year when I was finally able to move the pot outside in late June. Unfortunately the native snails and non-native spanish slug did a number on the young pad.


--
August 25, 2012 at 5:12 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Question: How close to my house can I plant a Cottonwood tree?

Cottonwoods grow to be immense trees attaining dimensions of up to 40 - 50 feet tall and wide with a root system to match. Cottonwoods have a surface root system that can heave sidewalks, crack walls and home foundations if planted too close. Cottonwoods should be planted a minimal distance from structures of at least 25 feet if not further. Trees That Please Nursery carries two varieties of cotton-less, Cottonwood Trees. Please contact us or stop by the store for more information.
Post a Comment
Read more

Afghan Pine

The Afghan Pine ( Pinus eldarica ) is also known as Desert Pine, Eldarica Pine or Mondell Pine. Afghan Pine is native to low rainfall areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and southern Russia . In fact, when planted in areas of high rainfall (> 20” per year), it becomes susceptible to a number of diseases and rapidly declines. This problem has occurred in East Texas.   The Afghan Pine thrives in heat, wind, and tolerates drought. Afghan Pine must be planted in soils with good drainage like sand. It is not suitable for poorly drained heavy clasy soils. Afghan Pines are generally pyramidal or Christmas tree shaped in form when young   becoming more oval or irregular with age. The leaves of the Afghan Pine are evergreen needles usually found in groups of 2 per fascicle or sheath. Needles are shed after several years and make excellent mulch as they fall around the trees base.   It has attractive trunk bark that becomes dark and furrowed with...
4 comments
Read more

WEED IDENTIFICATION: SAND BUR

Sand Bur ( Cenchrus longispinus ) is native to North America. It has other names like  sand spur, long-spined sand bur, hedgehog grass, and bur grass . Sand Bur is an annual grass usually growing with a prostrate growth form. It is similar in appearance to other grasses prior to seed formation. Individual plants may be 3’ in diameter, sometimes larger.  Sand Bur is a common weed of sandy soils but also grows well elsewhere. Sand Bur will often root at stem nodes that are touching the ground. The root system of Sand Bur is shallow and fibrous making them easily pulled (when immature). Sand Bur produces a flowering spike. As seeds begin to form Sand Bur is easily recognized by its numerous sharp or burred seeds or long spines. As the burred seeds mature they are easily separated from the mother plant and their sharp spines stick to virtually anything. Sand Bur can disseminate its seeds long distances because its sharp spines will hitch a ride on skin, animal hides, sho...
Post a Comment
Read more