Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii
(Engelmann's Prickly Pear)
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Hwy 118, Big Bend National Park 3653
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Hwy 118, Big Bend National Park 3668
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Caprock Canyons State Park, Briscoe Co. 9762
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Caprock Canyons State Park, Briscoe Co. 9766
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Caprock Canyons State Park, Briscoe Co. 9759
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Abilene State Park, Taylor Co. 8798
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Caprock Canyons State Park, Briscoe Co. 9770
Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii, Caprock Canyons State Park, Briscoe Co. 9783
| Scientific Name | Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii (Opuntia phaeacantha var. discata) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OPENE |
| Common Name | Engelmann's Prickly Pear, Cactus Apple | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 913651 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert habitat; dry, sandy, rocky soils; from 1000 to 6000 ft., primarily in southwest Texas west of the Pecos River. Plant: Upright, spreading branches 3 to 5 feet high (higher in ideal growing conditions). Pads & Spines: Pads obovate, broadly elliptic or orbicular, 8 to 12 inches long, 6 to 10 inches across; variable spines, chalky white, to tan and yellow shades or brownish, seldom rich canary yellow or shiny yellow, 1 to 2 inches long, usually 1 to 4 per areole (or 0 to 5). Inflorescence: Yellow flowers without red center, becoming pale orange late in the day; occasionally orange veins on inner tepals; about 3 inches across; cream-colored to pale green filaments, yellow anthers; cream-colored style with green stigma lobes. Bloom Period: April to July. Fruit: Barrel- or oval-shaped, purple to dark reddish-purple, 2-1/4 to 3-1/4 inches long, 1-1/4 to 2 inches diameter. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Opuntia Web and "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024