Opuntia santa - ritais often listed as a synonym ofOpuntia gosseliniana , but it is a large works with thinner root segments . It is also ordinarily confused withOpuntia macrocentra , which has chickenhearted flowers with a bright red center . Moreover , there are rude hybrids betweenOpuntia santa - ritaandOpuntia chlorotica , which add to the complexity of key this plant .
Opuntia santa - rita(Griffiths & Hare ) Rose
Purple Prickly Pear , Santa Rita Prickly Pear
In habitat, Pima County, Arizona, United States. Derivative of a photo byJoseph Scheer. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Opuntia chloroticavar.santa - rita , Opuntia gosselinianavar.santa - rita , Opuntia macrocentravar.santa - rita , Opuntia violaceavar.santa - rita
syndicate : CactaceaeSubfamily : OpuntioideaeTribe : OpuntieaeGenus : Opuntia
The specific epithet " santa - rita " ( pronounced SAN - ta REE - ta ) refers to theSanta Rita Mountainsin Arizona , United States , probably the type locality of this cactus .
In habitat, Tucson, Arizona, United States. Photo byRob Nixon. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
The aboriginal reach ofOpuntia santa - ritaextends from Arizona , New Mexico , and Texas in theUnited Statessouth into northernMexico .
Opuntia santa - ritais ashrubbyor tree diagram - like cactus with a short trunk and branches of gray - green to bluish - green segments that grow lavender to red - purple under accent . It can originate up to 6.6 feet ( 2 meter ) tall . The shank segments are compressed , usually subcircular , sometimesovateorobovate , and can reach up to 8 inches ( 20 atomic number 96 ) in diam . They are often spinless or typically have few spines along the margin . The spinal column are straight to somewhat slew , wan white-livered to horn - colourise , aging reddish - brown , and up to 1.6 inches ( 4 cm ) long . Theareolesalso bear a tuft of yellow to tanglochidsthat eld to brown .
In former give and early summer , this works get yellow flower reaching up to 3.6 inches ( 9 centimetre ) in diameter . The spineless fruit are purple , green inside , and contain tan seminal fluid . They are egg - shaped and depressed at theapex , reaching up to 1.8 inch ( 4.5 centimeter ) in duration and 1.2 inches ( 3 centimetre ) in diam .
In habitat, Oro Valley, Arizona, United States. Photo bymobuzz. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Light : Opuntia santa - ritathrives in full sunshine , but some shade during noontide and good afternoon can forbid burn in hot climates . A windowpane that receives sunlight 6 hours a day works well when grown indoors .
Soil : This cactus requires a territory mix that drain well . So , use a commercial cactus potting mix orcreate your own .
Temperature : Opuntia santa - ritais highly tolerant of high temperaturesandprefers coolheaded temperature in wintertime . It grow best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones8a to 10b , with modal minimal winter temperature ranging from 10 to 40 ° fluorine ( -12.2 to 4.4 ° degree centigrade ) .
In habitat, Tucson, Arizona, United States. Photo byChris Rohrer. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Watering : From outpouring to fall down , body of water moderately and rent the dirt dry out out completely before water again . In most sphere , rain will be enough for established plants . If pot , never let the container sit down in water . During the wintertime , suspend thewatering .
Fertilizing : Opuntia santa - ritadoes not need fertilizer when planted in the ground . However , it will benefit from fertilizing during the growing time of year when originate in a container . Apply a water - soluble fertilizer . set aside feeding during the wintertime when the industrial plant choke sleeping .
Repotting : Repot only when the cactus becomes potbound or is too magnanimous and unsound in its container . Choose a somewhat larger container with drain holes at the bottom . The best clip for repotting is previous wintertime or other spring .
Propagation : you’re able to propagateOpuntia Kriss Kringle - ritaby stem segment or seeds . Using stem segment is the easiest method and yield dissolute upshot . For best results , take root segments in former summertime . Sow the seeds in late saltation .
Learn more atHow to develop and Care for Opuntia .
Opuntia santa - ritais not toxic to humans or pets . However , keep the industrial plant forth from pets and child as it has harmful spine and glochids that may stimulate skin vexation .
press a photograph to see a expectant version .
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