Opuntia macrocentra aka Purple Prickly Pear
Taxonomy ID: 6407
Opuntia macrocentra, also known as the long-spined purplish prickly pear or black-spined pricklypear, is a cactus found in the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. This upright spreading shrub consists of green pads with purple stems, and is most notable for producing a purple pigmentation in the stem. It also produces large colorful yellow and red flowers in the spring, which attract hummingbirds, and dark red edible fruits. Black-Spined Prickly Pear is an excellent addition to rock gardens and xeriscaped yards, as it is deer-resistant and needs very little water to thrive. It can also be grown indoors as a relatively rare houseplant, as long as it is placed in long-lasting, direct light less than 1 foot away from a window.
Common names
Purple Prickly Pear, Martin's Blunt Spine Prickly Pear, Long Spine Prickly Pear, Purple PricklypearMore information about Purple Prickly Pear
How difficult is it to take care of Purple Prickly Pear
Caring for Purple Prickly Pear is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
What is the region of origin of Purple Prickly Pear
Purple Prickly Pear’s native range is the Americas.
What are the water needs for Purple Prickly Pear
Purple Prickly Pear does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.
What is the right soil for Purple Prickly Pear
To keep your Purple Prickly Pear healthy, it's important to use a potting soil that won't retain too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to regular cactus soil from the store is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.
What is the sunlight requirement for Purple Prickly Pear
Purple Prickly Pear requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Martin's Blunt Spine Prickly Pear is always in the right place to thrive.
What's the right humidity for Purple Prickly Pear
Purple Prickly Pear enjoys dry environments, but misting the plant or providing extra humidity can create an environment for harmful fungi to thrive on the leaves.
How to fertilize Purple Prickly Pear
The Purple Prickly Pear is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.
Is Purple Prickly Pear toxic to humans/pets?
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
What's the dormancy for Purple Prickly Pear
During the cold period, it is common for Purple Prickly Pear to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
What is the growth pattern of Purple Prickly Pear
New growth will sprout from the top of the Purple Prickly Pear as it grows vertically.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Opuntia Genus
Opuntia auberi Lengua De Vaca
Opuntia monacantha Common Pricklypear
Opuntia stenopetala Arrastradillo
Opuntia aurea Golden Prickly Pear
Opuntia chlorotica Clockface Prickly Pear
Opuntia pubescens
Opuntia polyacantha erinacea Snow Prickly Pear
Opuntia aciculata Chenille Prickly Pear
