BCSS - Forum

I’m not convinced the labels on these two are correct, or maybe they both got mixed up? Can anyone confirm my suspicions please or do they look correct?

Thanks,
Mark.

Opuntia phaeacantha Richter opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada

Anybody?

Difficult. The basilaris ought to have a blue/green tinge to the epidermis grown in full sun if that helps.

Thanks Mike, that was my thought too. Both are in full sun for about 10 hours a day. I have a few other basilaris that all have the usually blue / green tingle which is why I had my doubts about this one. Will wait for flowers to see if that clears things up a bit

They both look like the same hybrid to me.
Uhlig did lots of crosses between O. fragilis (small pads) and Opuntia phaeacantha (and other large-padded opuntias) to produce a range of small padded plants with large flowers. A confusing group of plants in my opinion - but then I am more of a purist!

Thanks Tony I think you’re right. I did wonder as they do look similar to the rest of my fragilis hybrids. I guess I’ll know more when they eventually flower.

I've also got that one also labelled as O. basilaris v. brachyclada, and I must say I was rather dubious as it is rather a shiny green.

I suppose you could imagine an old and very faded label with

Opuntia fragilis x phaecantha

being resurrected as

Opuntia basilaris v. brachyclada

if you could hardly read them and misremembered.

Good point Ralph I never thought of that! I purchased mine from the Cactusshop in Devon last year.