Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Eve’s Needle Cactus)

A popular cultivated ornamental, Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Eve’s Needle Cactus) can be a succulent, spiny, robust shrub or a small tree with an erect trunk and elongated branches. It can reach a staggering height of 13 ft. (4 m) in its native habitat but is much smaller in cultivation. The glossy green stems are studded with awl-like, curved and fleshy, greenish-yellow leaves, up to 5 in. long (12 cm), which are persistent for one or more seasons. The areoles bear clusters of 8 grayish-white spines or more. Brilliant flowers, up to 2 in. long (5 cm), are borne toward the ends of the branches in mid-spring to mid-summer. The blossoms can be orange, burgundy-red, orange-red, or greenish-yellow, with white bases and yellow stigma. However, it is rare for the Eve’s Needle Cactus to bloom in cultivation, and container plants will likely never flower. The flowers are followed by large, egg-shaped, dark green or red fruits, 5 in. long (12 cm), covered with fine, stinging hairs.

• Grows up to 10-13 ft. tall (3-4 m) in its native environment.
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates afternoon shade. Water in summer and keep dry in winter. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Drought tolerant.
• Good candidate for desert gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. It can form an impenetrable hedge.
• Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by stem division. Prickly pear pads root easily and grow rapidly when placed in loose, well-draining soil.
• Handle this plant with extreme caution. The long spines can cause harm to people and animals. Keep it away from walkways and areas frequented by children and animals.
• Native to Peru and Bolivia.
• Austrocylindropuntia subulata is regarded as invasive in South Africa, East Africa, Australia and more recently in Europe. It can form dense impenetrable patches and suppress other vegetation.