Opuntia anacantha - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia anacantha is a botanical species of cactus closely related to the prickly pear, quite rare in cultivation and interesting for its vegetation almost devoid of spines, composed of elongated light green pads. The  very bright coloration is adorned with small purple spots when the plant is exposed to the heat of the sun. It produces large yellow-orange flowers in late spring or early summer, sometimes tinged with red, whose texture resembles that of silk. This species, native to South America, is not very hardy, up to -7°C (19.4°F) even in perfectly dry soil. It dies not tolerate winter humidity combined with cold well, its cultivation in open ground is therefore reserved for dry and warm Mediterranean climates. Elsewhere, it should be planted  in a large pot for overwintering .

The Opuntia anacantha is a succulent plant devoid of true leaves from the cactus family. This botanical species, which varies quite a bit in nature, is native to northern Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It grows in sandy and poor soils. Its species name, anacantha, means "without spines". This opuntia has a spreading shrubby habit, wider than it is tall. An mature specimen will measure an average of 70 cm (28in) in height and 2 m (7ft) in spread, but depending on the clones, the plant may show a more upright habit, up to 1.5 m (5ft) in height. The vegetation is composed of a trunk that divides into flattened, fleshy, elongated, oval-shaped branches called articles or pads. They measure 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16in) in length and 3.5 to 7 cm (1 to 3in) in width. Their surface, light green in color, is smooth, very shiny, and punctuated with small spots called areoles, which are purple to violet in color. The prickles on this opuntia are few; they measure 4 to 6 cm (2in) in length, whitish in colour. In June, several 6 cm (2in) diameter flowers appear at the end of the branches. Their color is a mix of yellow and orange, more or less intense. The flowers give way to  edible fruits that are oval in shape and turn purple when ripe. They are less tasty than those of the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica).

This spineless Opuntia will find its place in a large rockery or gravel bed in mild climates. Its  very exotic appearance is well suited to a minimal and austere decor, populated with a few grasses, agaves and aloes, Hesperaloe parviflora, and small creeping opuntias like Opuntia humifosa. In cold regions, it is a beautiful collector's plant to be grown in a pot so that it can be stored in a dry, bright, and cool place in winter.