Opuntia microdasys Caress - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia microdasys 'Caress' will delight prickly pear collectors. It is a nearly inermous version of the famous Opuntia microdasys, certainly a bit less decorative due to the absence of small tufts of characteristic hairs, but has two advantages, spike-free pads amd the plant is more resistant to frost. It rarely blooms in cultivation, but more frequently in open ground under Mediterranean climates. This variety thrives easily in pots, without requiring any special care. Its fleshy articles are said to be a delight for land tortoises.

The Opuntia microdasys is a botanical species related to the Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica). It is a succulent plant from the cactus family. It is native to Mexico, specifically from the Chihuahuan Desert to the state of Hidalgo in the south of the country. As with all Opuntias, its vegetation consists of a stout trunk, lignifying with age, which divides into flat and fleshy branches called articles, cladodes or pads. An adult specimen will not exceed 80 cm (32in) in height and 1.20 m (4ft) in width. A moderately fast growing species, the plant produces 1 or 2 new pads per year from spring to autumn. The cladodes of this Caress variety are almost circular, very thick, and measure about 12-15 cm (5-6in) in diameter. Their shiny surface changes from bright green to a slightly glaucous green-gray over time. They are initially garnished with numerous small fleshy and curved leaves, which quickly fall off. In their place, only small spots of yellowish to grayish color remain, almost completely devoid of the tiny irritating prickles usually present in Opuntias. Flowering takes place in June-July, under favorable conditions. Several flowers, 4 cm (2in) in diameter and shaped like rounded cups, appear on the edges of the pads, mainly towards their tips. These flowers, very pale yellow to yellowish-white, are composed of fine and translucent petals.

Opuntias are emblematic cacti of the desolate and arid expanses of North America. They naturally find their place in dry gardens alongside other more traditional bushes, with which they ultimately harmonize quite well. They can be associated with cistus, lavender, rosemary, and dryland euphorbias, without any lack of taste. This Caress microdasys variety can withstand moderate frost for a short duration (about -10°C), in dry soil. It is preferably cultivated in pots in most of our regions. It will contribute to the creation of a contemporary or exotic decor during the summer. For example, it could be placed next to Adenium and sedums in carefully chosen pots.