Bunny Ears Cactus

The Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia microdasys var. pallida) is a distinctive, dense cactus shrub native to central and northern Mexico. It is known for its unique pad-like stems, which can grow up to 24 inches tall, with each stem reaching 6 inches in length and 5 inches in width. Unlike many cacti, it does not have spines; instead, it is covered in small, pale yellow glochids that emerge from each areole, giving the cactus a soft, fuzzy appearance from a distance.

This cactus produces charming yellow flowers up to 2 inches wide, with broad tepals, bright yellow anthers, and dark green stigma lobes.

Following the blooms, the plant develops round to egg-shaped fruits, 2 inches long, in shades of red to purple. These fruits are spineless but dotted with tiny glochids.

At Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, the Bunny Ears Cactus is part of greenhouse and habitat displays, providing visitors with a close look at this remarkable succulent from Mexico’s arid regions.