Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Cactus or Succulent
Origin
North America
Mexico
Types
Water elm
Opuntia ficus-indica
Habitat
Floodplains, Hillside, stream banks, Swamps, Upland
Desert
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-9
8-12
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Green
Yellow, Red, Orange
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Tan
Reddish Plum
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Yellow
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Leaf Shape
Oblique base
Globe shaped
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam
Loamy, Sandy, Well drained
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
Tolerances
Cold climate, Drought, Pollution, Salt
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Rooted stem cutting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Grafting, Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply
Does not require lot of watering, Water once every two or three weeks, Water when soil is dry
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Average Water
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove dead branches, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune ocassionally, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year, fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Bark beetles, Beetles, Borers, Mites, Moth, Red blotch, Scale
Aphids, Caterpillars, Cochineal insect, Mealybugs, Nematodes, Red spider mite, Rodent, Root rot, Scale, Slugs, Snails, Thripes, Viruses, Worms
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Drought, Salt
Drought
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
-
Aphids, Birds, Rodents
Allergy
allergic reaction, Asthma
-
Aesthetic Uses
Landscape Designing
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Nourishes scalp, Reduce Bruises, Remove blemishes
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Food for birds, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Antispasmodic, Astringent
Antioxidants, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Hangover
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Stem, Tree trunks, Wood
Flowers, Leaves
Other Uses
Used as firewood, Used for woodware, Used in biomass, Used in construction, Used in Furniture, Used in paper industry, Used in pulpwood and lumber production, Wood is used for making furniture, Wood is used for ship building, Wood is used fore making tools, Wood is used in construction, Wood log is used in making fences
Biomass for fuel, Employed in herbal medicine, Fine spines and trichomes are used as fiber for weaving, Oil is used for aromatherapy, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Container, Feature Plant, Fruit, Fruit Tree, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall
Botanical Name
ULMUS americana
OPUNTIA ficus-indica
Common Name
American Elm
Indian fig opuntia, Barbary fig, cactus pear, spineless cactus
In Hindi
अमेरिकी एल्म
Opuntia ficus-indica
In German
amerikanische Ulme
Opuntia ficus-indica
In French
orme d'Amérique
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Spanish
olmo americano
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Greek
American Elm
Φραγκοσυκιά
In Portuguese
olmo americano
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Polish
Amerykański wiązu
Opuntia ficus-indica
In Latin
Latin ulmo
Opuntia ficus-indica
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Rosales
Caryophyllales
Family
Ulmaceae
Cactaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots