Opuntiad ID please

[BobbyZ]

When visiting Florida Insttitue for Technology (Melbourne), I was in awe over this beautiful monster opuntiad. I believe it is a Consolea, however I can use help of experts. It is about 3 meters tall. Individual pads are up to 40 cm long and 1 to 2 cm thick, and are both curly and are spineless The pads have a sivery green luster with golden aeroles For reference the Agave is over a meter high. Bobby Z

[Alber khan]

Looks like consolea rubscens.

[BobbyZ]

Thanks Alber, I only have seedlings at home around 5 to 7 cm high, now if I have patience I may see it grow to a wonderful specimen.

[GoanBahraini]

Dear Alber/Bobby
It does not seem fully similar to O. Rubecens as main stem is spiny, I have not seen a specimen here in any nursery with a spiny/hairy main stem. See mine

Smooth Stem Opuntia rubescens

WP_20131221_033.jpg (23.45 KiB) Viewed 2279 times

It does seem to be a consolea species in any case, maybe the endangered Florida, consolea corallicola which is one step worse, as the pads seem to be smooth, and this species looks to have spines.
One strange anomaly I have noted in Consolea Rubescens is sometimes a pad may be fully spiny and the other pads continue to be smooth.
Strange conundrum, which I cannot resolve having never seen the second consolea corallicola in Bahrain or India.
Maybe Alber can have another look as I am getting confused.
Derrick

[BobbyZ]

Thanks for interest, I bblew up the picture the main stem is quite spiney. I may never return to the campus but the pictures and a cutting of a small pad are with me. It is rooted and maybe in three years I will see a main stem.

[GoanBahraini]

Bobby
My pleasure and Happy Christmas, but the hairy stem looks close to Consolea Monoliformis see http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_rodd/ ... 5190061143" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But again, no guarantee as the pads there too are slightly spiny.
Derrick