Airampoa soehrensii Orurensis

The Opuntia or Airampoa soehrensii 'Orurensis', sometimes called Tunilla Orurensis, is a small succulent plant closely related to prickly pears, which is still rare in cultivation. It has a prostrate habit and develops numerous small fleshy and heavily prickly pads or articles and produces beautiful yellow cactus flowers in spring or summer. Well adapted to pot culture, it is also a good plant for dry rock gardens and arid slopes in not too cold climates.

The Airampoa Orurensis, from the cactus family, is a succulent plant devoid of true leaves. This subspecies is native to the Bolivian Andes, where it is found growing in colonies up to an altitude of 3780 m (12402ft). Adapted to very poor rocky soils and arid climates, it is also capable of withstanding short frosts of around -8 to -10°C (17.6 to 14°F) in well-drained or even dry soil.

This is a prostrate plant that rarely exceeds 25 cm (10in) in height and forms a compact cushion of about 50 - 60 cm (20 - 24in) in diameter. Its vegetation consists of multiple flattened, fleshy and thick branches. These segments are sometimes called pads or articles. The skin is punctuated with tiny tufts of countless acute prickle-like structures called glochidia, which can be particularly unpleasant when handled. These glochidia are also armed with very long, hard and pointed spines. Flowering occurs from May to early July, depending on the climate. Cup-shaped flowers mostly yellow in color, but sometimes orange, red, carmine red to violet red or rarely white, depending on the clones, are formed on the periphery of the pads. The flowers have thin, slightly wrinkled petals. The fruits are pear-shaped, ripening to a red color. The red flesh is locally used as a dye for textiles.

This Opuntia naturally finds its place in a pot on a terrace or in a rock garden, a gravel bed, an arid and sunny slope. In cold regions, the plant should be brought indoors to a cold greenhouse or a minimally heated conservatory. Its very exotic appearance suits well in a mineral and austere setting, as it does not tolerate shade from larger or more prolific perennials: reserve a clear location for it, in full sun. Protect your hands with thick disposable gloves (due to the formidable spines and glochidia) for regular weeding. It can be associated with small agaves, aloes, Hesperaloe parviflora, small yuccas as well as montane cushion plants or dryland plants such as thymes and sedums.