Opuntia dulcis
(Sweet Prickly Pear)
Opuntia dulcis, River Road, Big Bend National Park 1159
Opuntia dulcis, River Road, Big Bend National Park 1158
Opuntia dulcis, River Road, Big Bend National Park 1160
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| Scientific Name | Opuntia dulcis (Opuntia engelmanni var. dulcis, Opuntia lindheimeri var. dulcis) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OPEND |
| Common Name | Sweet Prickly Pear | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 538006 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert environments along the Rio Grande from Big Bend northwest to at least El Paso; 2200 to 3500 ft. elevation. Plant: Summer: Sprawling plant up to 3 to 5 feet high. Pads & Spines: Pads obovate to suborbicular, 6 to 7 inches long, 4 to 6 inches across; usually 2 spines per areole, about 1-1/4 inches long; lower portions light brown to nearly white above. Inflorescence: Yellow flowers with pale or bright red center; 2 to 2-3/4 inches across; pale green to cream-colored or colorless filaments about 5/8-inch long, yellow anthers; colorless or pinkish style with light green stigma lobes. Bloom Period: April to May. Fruit: Smooth with a few areoles and no spines; obovate to inverse conical shape, reddish, about 2 inches long, 1 to 1-1/4 inches diameter. References: "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell. |
BONAP Distribution Map N/A |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024