Opuntia zebrina reticulata Cobra
Ideally, place in a sunny location or in a place with diffused light.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Do not water in winter.
The cactus can tolerate temperatures as low as -6.7 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
Prickly pear with a strange network of scars resembling snakeskin.
Opuntia zebrina reticulata Cobra is a cultivar of the genus Opuntia, which was named after the ancient Greek city of Opus in the region of Locris. This plant originates from a European nursery and represents a monstrose form that does not occur in nature. The cultivar name Cobra refers to the distinctive appearance of the segments, whose irregular reticulated pattern resembles snake skin.
This succulent has flattened segments reaching up to approximately 15 cm in length. The growth habit is upright, and the plant can reach a height of around 40 cm. Although it may appear spineless at first glance, it does bear small, stiff spines and very irritating glochids, as is typical for most opuntias. The cross-hatched pattern on the segments is often irregular, making each plant visually unique.
The plant produces small yellow flowers, but flowering is uncommon in this monstrose cultivar and should not be expected regularly. It is grown mainly for its unusual stem structure rather than for its blooms.
Opuntia zebrina reticulata Cobra is a slow-growing succulent that is easy to cultivate in a well-draining substrate. Fertilizing is optional and can be adjusted according to the grower’s experience. This cultivar is valued for its distinctive reticulated surface and is considered a collectible opuntia suitable as a solitary specimen.