Opuntia microdasys var. albispina, known as ‘angel’s ears’ or ‘alba bunny ears’, is a variety of the Mexican prickly pear Opuntia microdasys with white glochids.
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Opuntia |
| Species | Opuntia microdasys |
Opuntia microdasys is a much-branched cactus made up of flattened, oval pads of 8 to 15 cm, without true spines but with very closely spaced areoles covered in tiny glochids – extremely fine, barbed hairs – that detach easily at the slightest touch.
The variety known commercially as ‘alba’ corresponds to the botanical variety albispina, whose name literally means ‘with white spines’: its glochids are a snowy white, much paler than the usual yellow or brown of the typical species, which gives it a very decorative, white-speckled appearance and has popularised names such as ‘angel’s ears’ and ‘polka dot cactus’.
Like the type species, it is native to central and northern Mexico, where it grows in arid and semi-arid climates on well-drained, stony soils. In outdoor cultivation in warm climates it can form clumps of up to 60 cm in height and 1.5 m in diameter.
In a pot it needs direct sun, little watering and a very porous substrate, as well as protection from frost.
Although its white glochids are less visible than dark-coloured ones, they are just as fine and irritating to the touch, so it must be handled with the same precautions as the other prickly pears of the genus Opuntia.
In summer it produces lemon-yellow flowers of up to 5 cm, very similar in shape to those of the other varieties of Opuntia microdasys.
