Opuntia cacanapa Ellisiana - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia cacanapa Ellisiana is an interesting variety of prickly pear for its cold resistance, its bluish almost spineless pads, and its edible fruits, whose flavor is comparable to that of prickly pears. The plant is bushy, well-branched, of medium vigor, and easy to grow in full sun in any well-drained, poor, rocky, and arid soil. Hardy prickly pears are grown outdoors, in open ground, away from high-traffic areas, to allow them to express freely the spirit that inhabits them, that of the desert landscapes of North America.

The Opuntia cacanapa, a close relative of the Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica), is a succulent plant devoid of true leaves from the cactus family. This botanical species is native to harsh and arid regions of southern Texas and adjacent Mexico, where it is found in plains, often on limestone soils. The 'Ellisiana' variety distinguishes itself by the absence of prickles and the almost absence of glochids, usually present on many other prickly pears. An adult specimen will reach about 1 m (3ft) in height and spread laterally for at least 1.20 m. Its growth is moderately fast, with the plant producing 1 or 2 new pads per year from spring to autumn. The vegetation is composed of pads or cladodes that are stacked on top of each other. Measuring 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) long, they are broadly elliptical, or most often circular, flattened, fleshy, and thick. The base of the plant lignifies with age, forming a very short trunk. The gray-green-blue surface of the pads is almost unarmed, punctuated by a few strongly curved succulent atrophied leaves. Flowering occurs from June to August with several flowers appearing on the edges of the pads, mainly towards their tips. Their color changes from canary yellow to orange as they fade. The rounded cup-shaped flowers are composed of fine and slightly translucent petals. They give way to globose fruits, adorned with a few glochids, which turn purple-violet when ripe. Their flesh is sweet and juicy, reminiscent of the fruits of the Prickly Pear.

Cultivable in many regions, including far from the coast, this amazing Prickly Pear is hardy to at least -12°C without protection, but in perfectly drained, rocky, stony, or sandy soil. It naturally enhances exotic or contemporary settings, in a large rock garden, on an arid slope, or at the edges of a dry garden. It will find its place among hardy agaves, Nolinas, and tree-like Euphorbias. Combine it with fairly hardy columnar cacti; Cleistocactus strausii or Cylindropuntia imbricata. Even though this Opuntia is almost spineless, it is advisable to keep it away from thoroughfares and children. The fruits can be harvested when ripe in late summer and consumed after "flaming" their skin to remove any glochids. Cut them in half and enjoy the flesh with a small spoon.