Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Monday - April 30, 2012

From: Lago Vista, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents
Title: Spineless prickly pear from Lago Vista TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We visited Lady Bird Johnson Center yesterday. I was impressed with the spine less prickly pear cactus. Is it a native or a hybrid?

ANSWER:

Please follow this line Opuntia ellisiana (Spineless prickly pear) to our webpage on this plant. Especially notice this warning:

"Beware, although it doesn't have long sharp spines, the tiny glochids (slivers) are very irritating to the skin if the plant is not handled correctly. Grab the pads between the glochid dots."

We once heard a story that this "cultivated" plant just showed up in a Corpus Christi nursery. It can be propagated, unlike most hybrids. See the Propagation Instruction on the webpage.

From the Image Gallery

Spineless prickly pear
Opuntia ellisiana