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Products > Opuntia ficus-indica 'Gray Form'
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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Cactaceae (Cactus) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Opuntia ficus-indica 'Gray Form' (Nopal) - A variety of shrubby cactus that grows to 6-10 feet tall with branches bearing many oblong 1 1/2 foot long bluish-green thick pads. In spring and early summer appear the 4 inch orange-yellow flowers along the edges at the tips of the pads. The flowers produce edible pear-shaped fleshy reddish-purple fruits (tunas) whose taste has been likened to watermelon. The pads are cooked and eaten as well and called "nopales" or "nopalitos". Plant in full sun. This is a very drought tolerant plant and is hardy to below 20° F. The native habitat for this Opuntia is not known and as it has been in cultivation for many years it is now found in locations all over the world. From seed received from South America Luther Burbank grew and hybridized Opuntia in the early part of the 1900s for use as cattle fodder. Unfortunately cattle did not find it palatable but the plant has remained in cultivation as an ornamental and for human consumption. We grew this plant from 2003 until 2008.
Information displayed on this page about Opuntia ficus-indica 'Gray Form' is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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