Publication: Cactaceae Syst. Init. 16: 18 (11 Oct. 2003), first published in U.Guzmán et al., Catálogo Cact. Mex.: 179 [May 2003]
Origin and Habitat
Texas, USA
From llifle page Opuntia tardospina
Origin and Habitat
Texas (South-Central U.S.A., Northern America)
Source: Opuntia tardospina, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Opuntia winteriana
Description
Opuntia winteriana is a poorly known species, usually referred as a synonym of Opuntia lindheimeri which is an extremely variable plant, composed of many races, differing in armament, colour of flowers, size and shape of joints and of fruit. Opuntia winteriana is distinguished by browner spines than is usual in the species and greenish-yellow flowers. However, all the forms that have been described as possibly distinct species (comprising Opuntia winteriana), in the field seem to intergrade with other forms, indicating that they are at most only races of a very variable species. Opuntia winteriana is sometime considered a natural hybrid between Opuntia lindheimeri and (may be) Opuntia phaeacantha.
Cultivation and Propagation
Opuntia winteriana is a low maintenance plant that tolerate considerable neglect and will naturalize, it is drought-tolerant; and suitable for xeriscaping. Easy to cultivate outdoor in dry, sandy or gravely, well-drained soils. May be grown in clay soils as long as drainage is good and soils do not remain wet, it is very adaptable both in acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils, but prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5. No serious insect or disease problems.
Watering Needs: Outdoors little or no water once established, in the green house irrigate regularly from March to october, keep fairly dry in winter, tolerate dry condition but suffer if exposed to prolonged and severe drought. A position at the base of a south-facing wall or somewhere that can be protected from winter rain is best for this plant, but is however resistant to moisture and rain.
Sun Exposure: Full sun (only), in semi shaded position wont produce many flowers.
Frost hardiness: They are reasonably cold hardy , tolerating temperatures down to -5° to -12° C (USDA: 8-10) depending on clone, they are also quite tolerant of winter wet. (In good drained soils)
Traditional uses: The fruit are edible and the tender joints can be coked as a vegetable. In medicine the plant are used to treat dyspepsia, mumps, swelling and in veterinary it is used to treat bruises. The joints are also a good food for cattle (after burning of spines)
Propagation: Propagated by cuttings of leaf pads at any time in the growing season. (Allow cut surface to callus over before planting).
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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A. Michael Powell, James F. Weedin “Cacti of the Trans-Pecos & Adjacent Areas” Texas Tech University Press, 2004
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Joseph Nelson Rose “Studies of Mexican and Central American Plants” Volume 1, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1909
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Curt Backeberg: “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde.” 1958
Source: Opuntia winteriana, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.