Ornamental perennial cactus native to central Texas of easy cultivation and with a fast growth. Branched from the base, it has succulent and erect fleshy stems, called "cladodes", with the typical tight and stretched shape hence the term of variety "liguiformis", namely in the shape of tongue, associated to this plant. Its glaucous branches can reach even 70/80 cm of lenght and bring numerous long yellow thorns that, with other ones which are shorter but of the same color, are gathered in geometrically well-separated areolas, called "glochids". In general, this plant assumes the aspect of a wide and disjointed shrub which can exceed 2 m of height. During late spring, the apical parts of the stems produce ephemeral and delicate flowers made by 5 wellow-orange petals disposed in order to form a big golden cup, where the energetic bees avidly dive into. After the summer break, a new wave of color cover this plant, when numerous and fleshy fruits are unable to ripen. They are pear-shaped and of a purple color, moreover they remain on the plant till the late winter.
Based on their properties and traits, we have selected the plants that pair best with your choice.