Bell-Flower Pricklypear
Opuntia stricta
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM,Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM,Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM,Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM,aspidoscelis,aspidoscelis,aspidoscelis,aspidoscelis,Frederic E. (Frederic Edward) Clements,Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864,Iowa State University. Parry, Charles Christopher, Parry, E. R.,Bentham-Moxon Trust. Curtis, William, Curtis's botanical magazine dedications, 1827-1927 : portraits and biographical notes. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cactaceae
- Genus:
- Opuntia
- Species:
- Opuntia stricta
- USDA Symbol:
- OPTE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Succulent
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
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, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from surviving pads and roots after fire. Often increases in disturbed post-fire environments.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification to break hard seed coat. Germination is erratic and improved by warm temperatures.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI