Opuntia keyensis | Key West Prickly Pear | Big Pine Key Florida Native Cactus
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Sale
- Regular price $19.99
- 7 available
Opuntia keyensis has oddly been lumped in with o. stricta- however it is QUITE different. Keyensis is a large, erect, multi-branched cactus that forms a shrub or small tree growing to 6 feet tall, maybe more, but shorter individuals are common as they are in any dry habitat. The bright-green cladodes are oval, obovate, or even spatulate–thick and 10-30 cm long. The spines are short and hidden within the 1 cm long glochids, but this prickly pear definitely has spines. The spines are stout, pink when new and salmon-colored at maturity. There are 4-13 spines per areole.
The flowers are solitary or several per cladode and pale pink or salmon-colored. Stricta flowers are bright yellow. The buds are short-pointed. The corolla is cup-like or short-campanulate, 3-3.5 cm wide, with relatively few tepals. The fruit is obovoid and 4-6 cm long, with a strong narrowing at the base.
Since there is debate about its species denomination, there are no conservation notes available that I can find. Sadly this might become a situation that’s “a little too late” after the authorities make a decision.
These are rooted pads with new pads forming. 5” pots, shipped bare root.
Plants are so healthy and are already seeing new growth on some! This will be my one stop shopping for my cacti needs in the future for sure.