Opuntia robusta (Silver Dollar Prickly Pear)
Silver Dollar Prickly Pear, Dinner Plate Cactus, Wheel Cactus, Nopal Tapon, Camuesa, Opuntia guerrana, Opuntia robusta var. guerrana
Opuntia robusta (Silver Dollar Prickly Pear) is a large, often erect, succulent shrub or small tree with huge, silvery-blue, round, fleshy pads, up to 20 in. wide (50 cm). Thick and heavy, a single pad can weigh up to 4 pounds (2 kg)! The pads may be without spines or with white spines, about 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm). Sitting on the outer edges of the pads, large saucer-shaped, bright yellow flowers appear in spring. They are followed by a profusion of round and large, edible, deep red fruits that are best for animal feeding.
- This Opuntia can grow low or to a significant height. Grows up to 3-15 ft. tall and wide (90-450 cm).
- Performs best in full sun or light shade, in well-drained soils. This plant tolerates a wide variety of soils as long as they are well-draining. Keep dry in winter but provide occasional water during the growing season. Do not overwater and allow to dry fully before watering again. Drought tolerant.
- This low-maintenance plant tolerates considerable neglect and will naturalize. Easy to cultivate outdoor in warm, dry climates, it is a great choice for xeriscape gardens, desert gardens, Mediterranean gardens and cactus gardens.
- This remarkable plant is deer resistant and is easy to care for.
- Generally disease-free. Should be nearly pest-free if grown with adequate exposure and ventilation.
- Propagate from seed and from branch segments.
- Opuntias bear spines and stiff bristles that can be very irritating to the skin.
- Native to central and Northern Mexico.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 11 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Opuntia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 3' – 15' (90cm – 4.5m) |
Spread | 3' – 15' (90cm – 4.5m) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
(c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 9
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 11 |
Plant Type | Cactus - Succulents |
Plant Family | Opuntia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall Winter |
Height | 3' – 15' (90cm – 4.5m) |
Spread | 3' – 15' (90cm – 4.5m) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |