Opuntia macrorhiza
(Plains Prickly Pear)
Opuntia macrorhiza, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9596/9605
Opuntia macrorhiza, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9721
Opuntia macrorhiza, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9727
Opuntia macrorhiza, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9620
| Scientific Name | Opuntia macrorhiza | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OPMA2 |
| Common Name | Plains Prickly Pear, Twist-spine Prickly Pear | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19718 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3600 to 7000 ft.); Dry sand or limestone, rocky, gravelly soils in open areas. Plant: Low-growing, sprawling, clump forming plant usually less than 16 inches, or one or two pad segments, tall; clumps 20 inches to 6-1/2 feet across. Pads & Spines: Pads circular to obovate, 3 to 6 inches long or wide; becoming wrinkled; 5 to 8 areoles per diagonal row across the middle; 1 to 3 spines in upper areoles, whitish with darker bases (yellowish to brownish), 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 inches long, straight or slightly curved, mostly pointing downward; dense tufts of pale yellow to red-brown glochids. Inflorescence: Yellow flowers, usually with red centers, 2 to 2-1/2 inches across, often in groups along the upper edge of the pads; pale yellow filaments and yellow anthers; white style and cream to yellowish stigma lobes. Bloom Period: June to August. Fruit: Flesh, smooth, green to yellowish to dull red; elongated 1 to 1-1/2 inches long and 5/8 to 1-1/8 inches in diameter; 16 to 28 areoles. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains