How to identify Angel's-wings (Opuntia microdasys)

How to identify Angel's-wings (Opuntia microdasys)

Angel's-wings, also known as Cinnamon Cactus, Polka Dot Cactus, Polka-dot cactus

Angel's-wings exhibits a unique appearance with a dense clustering of pad-like stems that resemble rabbit ears. The pads are covered in small, dot-like yellow or brown glochidia, which are barbed and can easily detach. This cactus typically attains a height of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) and a spread of 4-6 feet (120-180 cm). It thrives in full sun, requiring ample light during the summer, and prefers temperatures between 50-65 degrees F (10-18 degrees C) during winter rest periods.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Succulent, Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Angel's-wings

Thick, oval-shaped stem segments covered in white needle-like glochids.

Pad-like cladodes with small clusters of barbed glochids, resembling rabbit ears.

Vibrant, spineless fruit with a fuzzy pubescent covering in red to purple hues.

Cream-colored cup-shaped flowers with frilled petals and dark-tipped styles.

No traditional leaves; instead, green, rounded cladodes dotted with glochids.

Detailed Traits of Angel's-wings

Leaf Features

Angel's-wings does not possess traditional leaves as seen in most plants. Instead, its modified pads, known as cladodes, serve the purpose of leaves. These pads are rounded, flat, and typically measure 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in diameter. They are green in color, with a smooth yet firm texture. The surface of the cladodes is dotted with small clusters of yellowish-brown glochids. These are tiny, barbed spines that can easily detach and lodge into skin.

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Flower Features

The flowers of angel's-wings are cream-colored to light yellow and cup-shaped, typically composed of about 6 oblanceolate petals with slightly frilled, pointed tips. These rare blooms are bisexual, featuring cream-colored stamens and a style with a dark tip. The flowers do not exhibit a notable scent and generally bloom in late spring to early summer. Each flower is approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter.

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Stem Features

The stem segments of angel's-wings are thick, flattened, and oval-shaped, resembling leaves. They are densely covered with small clusters of white, needle-like glochids. These segments are notable for their numerous areoles, each containing cottony-looking but thin spines. Typically, new pads form near the stem tips, creating a distinctive 'bunny ears' appearance. These stems are essential for identification, providing key characteristics like oval shape and dense covering of glochids.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of angel's-wings is notable for its vibrant hues, ranging from red to purple. These succulent fruits take a rounded to ovate shape, measuring approximately 0.8-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) in length and 0.5-0.6 inch (1.2-1.6 cm) in width. The external texture is notably free of spines, yet possesses an interesting feature: a covering of soft, short fuzziness, technically described as pubescent. These tactile hairs lend the fruit its characteristic feel, distinguishing it amongst others in its species.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Angel's-wings and Their Similar Plants

Eastern prickly pear vs. Angel's-wings: What's The Difference?

Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) is a cactus native to eastern North America that grows low to the ground. Eastern prickly pear requires a hot, dry climate and full sunlight for optimal growth, as it cannot grow in shade. In the wild, this species grows in sandy, rocky, and coastal scrub habitats.

Twist spine prickly pear vs. Angel's-wings: What's The Difference?

Opuntia macrorhiza is commonly called twist spine prickly pear. It is found in the Great Plains and many areas in the United States and northern Mexico. This cactus is cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Tulip prickly pear vs. Angel's-wings: What's The Difference?

Opuntia phaeacantha is the common Opuntia species in sandy and rocky soils across the southwest United States. Tulip prickly pear is a widespread cactus that often hybridizes with several other Opuntia species, producing both named and unnamed hybrids, making the identification of Opuntia phaeacantha slightly difficult.

Nopal tapon vs. Angel's-wings: What's The Difference?

Nopal tapon is a prickly pear known and loved for its fast growth rate. It suits desert, Mediterranean, cactus, and xeriscape gardens, but they need to be large, as this cactus requires a good amount of space. Nopal tapon should be grown indoors in colder climates. The vibrant fruit nopal tapon produces is eaten by various animals.

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Key Facts About Angel's-wings

Attributes of Angel's-wings

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Succulent, Shrub

Plant Height

30 cm to 1 m

Spread

60 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm to 5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Fruit Color

Red

Purple

Burgundy

Lavender

Stem Color

Green

White

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Angel's-wings

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Pinks, cacti, and allies

Family

Cactuses

Genus

Prickly pear

Species

Angel's-wings (Opuntia microdasys)

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Distribution Map of Angel's-wings

Angel's-wings is native to Mexico and has spread to parts of Africa, Russia, southern Europe, and Australia. It is found in wild desert climates where it collects fog, but it has become a popular houseplant for its appealing shape.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Angel's-wings How to Grow and Care for Angel's-wings