FREE: unusual cactus - pine cone cactus

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Paper Spine Cactus.
Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus, Paper Spine Cactus. Also Called: Pine Cone Cactus, Spruce Cone Cholla, Opuntia papyracantha, Tephrocactus papyracanthus.
This is a very interesting plant looking like spruce tree cones. Good for xeriscapeing. Has white flowers.
A harmless cactus with wide, paper - like spines. But, the little fur-like spines at the base of these larger spines can stick you, so use gloves if you handle this plant.

It is made up of small pine-cone shaped segments and it is very fragile at each segment. Easy to propgate from the segments. Closely related to the much hardier pine cone cactus.

Quick Notes:
Height: Height to about 1 - 2 feet. Cones spreading to about 3 - 4 feet.

Flowers: White cup like flowers, 3 - 4 inches in diameter.

blooming Time: April - September.

Fruit: Red, with a red pulp.

Found: Native to western Argentina, near Chilecito, or Los Colorados, La Rioja Province, Argentina. 3,445 feet elevation.
Elevation: 0 - 3,445 feet.

Hardiness: Said to only be hardy to 25 °F. But we have some that survived 17 °F. In zone 8b. At 4,886 feet elevation.

USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Sun Exposure: Some shade until established.
Full Sun
Habitat: Lower elevations where water is available. It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. Little water needed, once established. Common xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona.