Scientific: Opuntia pycnantha (Synonym: Opuntia margaritana)
Common: Isla Magadalena pricklypear
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Baja California Sur (southern half) and Magadalena Island
Pronounciation: O-PUN-tee-a pick-NAN-the
Hardiness zones:
Sunset 13-24
USDA 9-11
Character: Much branched, individual segmented stems upright, stiff, spreading, imposing, colorful.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, succulent perennial, upright and spreading, much branched, 2- to 3-feet tall with greater spread, moderately slow.
Foliage/Texture: Stems are jointed into fleshy, rounded clades (padded stems). Glochids densely arrayed at aeroles with a pinkish to orange brown color, highly ornamental, shortened spines, 7 to 9 per areole that are appressed distinctly downward; coarse texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Flowers are a brilliant yellow, 3-inches across, are borne on upper terminal margins of clades; fruit oblong, 2- to 3-inches long, red to purple.
Seasonal Color: A profusion of flowers in mid spring, fruit in summer.
Temperature: Tolerant of desert heat and cold.
Light: Tolerates full sun, but some protection from western sun is best.
Soil: Tolerant
Watering: Little to none after established. An occassional deep watering during the summer months will enhance appearance.
Pruning: Prune by removing pad segments of any length to encourage new clade (stem pad) growth.
Propagation: Clade (stem pad) cutting and layering are easiest, seed germinate between 68oF and 85oF.
Disease and Pests: Root rot if soils are poorly drained.
Additional comments: Isla Magadalena prickly pear is a prized, small to intermediate-sized and shrubby cactus for desert gardens. This is a 'must have' species of Opuntia for cactus collectors world wide. The prominent glochids and spines are dangerous, so beware. Handle carefully.