Paper Spine Cactus. Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Paper Spine Cactus. Also Called: Pine Cone Cactus, Spruce Cone Cholla, Opuntia papyracantha, Tephrocactus papyracanthus. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. This is a very interesting plant looking like spruce tree cones. Good for xeriscapeing. Has white flowers. A harmless cactus with wide, paper - like spines. But, the little fur-like spines at the base of these larger spines can stick you, so use gloves if you handle this plant. (See bottom left photo.) It is made up of small pine-cone shaped segments and it is very fragile at each segment. Easy to propgate from the segments. Closely related to the much hardier pine cone cactus. Quick Notes: Height: Height to about 1 - 2 feet. Cones spreading to about 3 - 4 feet. Flowers: White cup like flowers, 3 - 4 inches in diameter. Blooming Time: April - September. Fruit: Red, with a red pulp. Found: Native to western Argentina, near Chilecito, or Los Colorados, La Rioja Province, Argentina. 3,445 feet elevation. Elevation: 0 - 3,445 feet. Hardiness: Said to only be hardy to 25 �F. But we have some that survived 17 �F. In zone 8b. At 4,886 feet elevation. USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Some shade until established. Full Sun Habitat: Lower elevations where water is available. It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. Little water needed, once established. Common xeriscape landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken At Sun City, Arizona. Photo Taken March 01, 2006.

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