Help with identification of this succulent

[saddlestoneman]

Hello All

I wonder if someone could please help with identification of this succulent? The body was rescued last year from an almost dead specimen kept in a friend's lean-to without water for a few years. The plant has now come back to life and produced the protuberance (I don't know what the correct word is) and is doing well.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

best regards ... Stef

[Phil_SK]

It's Tephrocactus articulatus.

[iann]

Segment, pad, or cladode if you want the scientific term. It is the Tephrocactus equivalent of the flat Opuntia pads that you may be more familiar with. Tephrocactus articulatus possibly, but might also be T. alexanderi.

[AnTTun]

I'd go with tephrocactus articulatus v papyracanthus

[saddlestoneman]

Many thanks for the help with identification.

Looking at some on-line examples of the plant, it looks like I can expect some splendid flowers in the future. So pleased that I rescued it!

[AnTTun]

Um hum... don't hold your breath, they don't flower easily. They produce a lot of offsets / pads (can't recall the correct term, thank you rusty brain) so they make quite a display. And they are rather easy to grow. Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy growing that one.

Ah and just one more thing: if anyone tells you that those paper spines are razor sharp, take their word for granted, don't check that with your fingers as 'some of us' did