Devil's-Tongue
Opuntia austrina
- Native to:
- United States
Judy Gallagher (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Genus:
- Opuntia
- Species:
- Opuntia austrina
- USDA Symbol:
- OPAU3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Succulent
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cactus Borer Moth (Melitara prodenialis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, tortoises
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from root segments after fire. Often found in fire-maintained scrub and sandhill communities in Florida.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy scrublands and pine flatwoods
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have hard seed coat requiring scarification. Germination is improved with warm temperatures and may be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI