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Opuntia robusta (Dinner Plate Nopal) - A large cactus to 6 to 7 feet tall and as wide with 1 foot or more round flat silvery-gray stem segments (pads) that are jointed together often at nearly perpendicular angles. The pads have scattered pale spines which though not plentiful or covering the surface of the leaves, are 1 to 2 inches long, so fairly wicked. Large yellow flowers appear in later spring and in summer are followed by large deep red fruit. The origin of the genus name is debatable but one story is that it derives from the Latin word 'Opuntius' as a reference to it being native to the ancient Greek city of Opus and according to botanical accounts by Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder, a spiny plant with edible roots and leaves grew at this location and somehow the name was transferred to this New World cactus. A more likely though is that it is from the Greek word 'opus' which means "fig juice" for the fig-like fruits. It may also be a composition word from the Aztec name of "nopalli" combined with the Latin word 'pungere' which means to "prick" or "sting.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and water infrequently to not at all. Hardy to around 5 degrees F. This plant is widespread in central and Northern Mexico to within 100 miles of the Arizona and New Mexico borders where it grow from 5,000 to 10,000 feet rocky slopes, open shrublands, woodlands and mixed with other cactus and succulents. The specific epithet means strong and the plant is commonly called Robust Pricklypear , Wheel Cactus and Nopal Tapon. We received this plant from our long time nursery friend, the late Jim Prine.
Information displayed on this page about Opuntia robusta is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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