Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.) Pfeiff.
- Common name
- Bunny ears cactus, Angel's-wings, Cow-Blinder, Dwarf Cactus4
- Taxonomy
- Family: Cactaceae · Genus: Opuntia1
- Native distribution
- North America, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Global, Brazil, France, Turkey, conterminous 48 United States, South Africa, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gautenguncertain3
- Synonyms
- 2
9 synonyms
- Cactus microdasys Lehm.
- Opuntia macrocalyx Griffiths
- Opuntia microdasys minor (Salm-Dyck) Schelle
- Opuntia microdasys microdasys
- Opuntia microdasys albispina Fobe
- Opuntia microdasys laevior Salm-Dyck
- Opuntia microdasys minor Salm-Dyck
- Opuntia microdasys pallida Borg
- Opuntia pulvinata DC.
Still missing: plant type, natural habitat, height / growth form, flowering period, growth & dormancy period.
Sources (7)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy – Opuntia microdasys · Scientific name · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – synonyms · Synonyms · CC BY 4.0
- GBIF – distributions (Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS); The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP); Lista de Especies de la C) · Native distribution · CC BY 4.0
- Wikidata – Q310523 · CC0
- Wikidata – IUCN Red List status (P141) · Conservation status · CC0
- IUCN Red List · Conservation status
- Wikimedia Commons – Opuntia microdasys 3.jpg · CC BY-SA 3.0
Automatic data comes from the open sources above, credited per their licences. Care experience is shown separately below.
Tips & experience from members
What worked for you? Your plant’s growing conditions are attached automatically, so others can see who it works for.
No tips for this species yet – be the first to share what worked for you!
How members water it
Not enough logs yet: at least 3 plants with regular watering logs are needed (now: 0). Waterings logged in Care feed this – anonymised and aggregated.
How it thrives
No monthly schedule is shown because cultivar-/species-level data is not yet sufficient. The general values above are guidance only.
Opuntia tip: Its tiny glochids lodge in skin – handle it with tongs or folded newspaper.
Glochids injure skin and mouth. De-spined pads are great tortoise food.
Bunny ears cactus – what to know
Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) – family: Cactaceae, genus: Opuntia. Native range: North America, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Global, Brazil, France, Turkey, conterminous 48 Un…. Care guidelines: light: full sun; water: low; min. 5 °C. It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
All Opuntia species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Bunny ears cactus?
Sparingly: let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and water even less in winter.
How much light does Bunny ears cactus need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Bunny ears cactus get?
Keep it above 5 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.
Is Bunny ears cactus toxic to cats and dogs?
It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.
When does Bunny ears cactus flower?
According to the general guideline for the genus Opuntia: Typical flowering time: May, June.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Questions about this species
Opuntia
Data sources: GBIF.org – Opuntia microdasys (CC BY 4.0) · Wikidata – Q310523 (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons – Opuntia microdasys 3.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Care data is for guidance only.

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