PlantFiles: Bunny Ears, Polka Dot Cactus, Angel's Wings, Cegador
Opuntia microdasys

This species/variety (O. microdasys var. microdasys) has reddish brown glochids and the areoles are closer set together than Opuntia rufida. The pads (or stem segments) are also smaller on the average than Opuntia rufida. The epidermis is also a darker green than O. rufida.

I started mine from a small cutting from a friend's plant in New Orleans. Kept it in a pot (which, by the way, had to move by wrapping it with bubble wrap and then newspaper to keep it from KILLING everyone who touched it). Pot broke several years ago and plant naturalized into ground and is still growing strong. Doesn't bloom much, but doesn't get full sun. Plan to replant it and maybe some clones under some windows that have a history of getting broken into. That'll teach 'em.

I read this about it: "Cute when purchased in a tiny pot at the discount store, once in ground it will cover a large area in a few years." "The plants are easily controlled with a bulldozer while wearing a chemical warfare suit." I think that's from an Arizona Native Plant Society Brochure.

I put mine in an area where it can go wild without endangering my family. I love it.

The easiest way to take the small spines (glochids) out of the skin is to malax well you chewing gum in your mounth and then to roll it a little time over the place affected of the hands. You will see, all will be away.

A trick I was taught to use on opuntia and other cactus,
as well as fiberglass splinters, is to coat the area affected w/ Elmer Glue and let it dry.
Then peel the glue off. Almost all the splinters will pull out w/ the glue.
Saves a BUNCH of aggravation!

I love the look of this Opuntia, but it is deceptively nasty. The soft, fuzzy looking spines stick to your skin with the slightest brush-by and then they are hard to get off... most attempts to pull these itty bitty spines just pushed them in further or breaks them off at the skin level... washing them off with a sharp stream of water works the best. Otherwise it's a lot of work with a magnifying glass and a good pair of tweezers. Also, just moving the plant about will dislodge spines and they can blow into your eyes and nose/mouth. Rinsing plant with water is supposed to help keep this from happening, just before you move it. This species is also very prone to rot if watered to much via sprinklers. Rain water never seems to hurt it though.