Opuntia tapana - Prickly Pear

The Opuntia tapana (synonym tapona) is an interesting variety of prickly pear or paddle cactus due to its narrow, almost columnar habit and its pleasantly plump, bluish-green paddles devoid of prickes. Each paddle only produces one daughter paddle per year at its tip, forming a clump that appears as columns of paddles delicately balanced. Its large and beautiful yellow flowers, rarely seen in cultivation, typically appear in late spring. The plant is of moderate size, not very space-consuming, highly unique, and easy to grow in full sun in any well-draining, poor, rocky, and even arid soil, in regions that are not too cold and not too humid. It will also make a great impression in a rectangular pot on the terrace!

The Opuntia tapona, a close relative of the Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica), is a succulent plant without true leaves from the cactus family. This botanical species is native to western Mexico. It forms a bush that is taller than it is wide: a mature specimen will reach about 1.25 m (4ft) in height and 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in) in width, and up to 1 m (3ft) in the long run. Its dimensions will be slightly reduced in a pot. Its growth is slow with the plant producing only one generation of new paddles per year, from spring to autumn. The vegetation consists of upright paddles or cladodes that are stacked on top of each other. Measuring up to 20 cm (8in) wide and 25 cm (10in) long, they are ovoid in shape and very fleshy. The base of the plant lignifies with age, forming a very short trunk. The bluish-green surface of mature paddles is punctuated with white-gray areoles adorned with tiny transparent but formidable spines called glochids. On young paddles, succulent and recurved atrophied leaves appear but quickly disappear in favor of glochids. Flowering occurs from late May to late June in favorable climates. Several large, shiny flowers appear on the periphery of the paddles, mainly towards their tips. The cup-shaped flowers, 6 cm (2in) wide, are ephemeral. They are composed of soft yellow and golden yellow petals that are fine in texture and slightly translucent.

This lovely little prickly pear is hardy down to -12°C (10.4°F) without protection, but it does not tolerate the weight of snow well. It can be grown in the ground in well-drained, rocky, or sandy soil. It will naturally find its place in a dry rockery or on a dry slope, in the company of sedums or houseleeks, for example. Prickly pears naturally structure exotic or contemporary settings when associated with hardy agaves, Nolinas, and arborescent Euphorbias. In cold and humid climates, they can be easily grown in a pot, allowing them to be over-wintered in a cold greenhouse or an unheated conservatory, kept almost dry.