Brazilian prickly pear cactus

One of the largest cacti – it can grow up to 20 meters tall.

The fruit of the Brazilian prickly pear cactus
The fruit of the Brazilian prickly pear cactus - Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis
Brazilian prickly pear cactus in the Greenhouses in Aarhus
Brazilian prickly pear cactus in the Greenhouses in Aarhus.

 

Brazilian prickly pear is one of the largest cacti to be found. It can grow up to 20 m heigh, with a stem of 35 cm in diameter. It is occasionally grown as a garden plant or a fence plant.

Like other species of prickly pear, it forms large flat stem segments that resemble Mickey Mouse ears. The fruits are round, light green and covered by small thorns. It is unwise to touch them witout gloves. 


Fact box:

  • Greenhouse location: Dessert house
  • Danish name: Barsiliansk figenkaktus
  • Latin name: Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis
  • Family: Cactus family / Cactaceae
  • Natural habitat: South America

Learn more about other plants here.