NOPALES 'Opuntia' --Nopalea cochenillifera 'Variegata'--

Pretty delicate cactus, pale green to yellow with dark green fireworks-like bursts around each small spine. Heavily cultivated throughout Central America as a vegetable, and with historical medicinal usage to reduce inflammation. Also called Cochineal cactus, was used as a host for the Cochineal insect that provided a brilliant red coloring used in cosmetics and fabric dyes. Paddles are small and thin, 3-4" long. Flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds. Suitable for container, water sparingly and plant in very well draining soil.