Sleek and stylish, the Opuntia rubescens Consolea is a truly extraordinary cactus that must be seen to be believed. When viewed head-on, its thick, fleshy paddle-shaped leaves delicately ripple with indentations, resembling subtle tyre tracks. However, the true essence of its moniker, "Road Kill Cactus," becomes unmistakably evident when observed from the side. This unusual cactus boasts a distinctly flat profile. Although each strap-like paddle-shaped segment can expand to about 50cm in length, they maintain a slender thickness of just a few centimetres. It's a serious style statement of a slender succulent!
Horty Hints
Low, not no, spination. Like other Opuntia, the spines (glochids) on the road kill cactus are incredibly fine, almost hairlike. They can be a little uncomfortable if they do bite be careful when handling them.
Less is more! Allow your cactus’ soil to dry out completely in between watering. Water sparingly to avoid root and stem rot.
Sun-seeker! Give this tough cactus the shining spotlight it craves! Bask it by a beaming window all day – south or southwest-facing will give the winning glow.