Opuntiads of the USA

(by Joe Shaw and Dave Ferguson)

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Opuntia Country No. 1
Opuntia Country No. 2
Opuntia Country No. 3
Opuntia Country No. 4
Opuntia Country No. 5

Opuntia Country with
Daiv Freeman

Northern Patagonia Cactus Trip

Opuntia leptocarpa Mackensen 1911

(formerly Opuntia species, Unknown No. 1)

Editor's Note: This species has been identified at O. leptocarpa (SEE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION). Final identification was provided by the Editor-at-large (Dave Ferguson).

The taxon has been observed in central Texas, south-central Texas, as well as near Corpus Christi, Texas (not on the beach). They are monomorphic.

Spines near cladode tips may be tan (or cream-yellow) fading to brown or brown-red at the base. Alternately, spines may be white or near-white on cladode surfaces. Strongly growing plants have spines (1-3) at almost all areoles, whereas smaller plants (more juvenile from cuttings) or occassional pads may not have spines at most aeroles, or may be nearly spineless.

Flower buds have rust-colored glochids. Anthers are yellow and filaments are yellow or yellow-white. The stimatic lobes are yellow or pale yellow, whereas the style is white or near-white.

Tepals are canary-yellow or even gold-yellow. Inner tepals have red bases, prominent or with just a dusting of red, red coloration may appear rust-red. Additionally, inner tepals are richly reflective at the base of their inside surfaces (in the general area of the red-color). The reflective area glistens as if wet, but it is not wet.

All of the specimens bloom early. The first flowers open in mid-April just about 2 weeks after O. atrispina, which is one of the earliest of the Opuntia species to bloom in this general area (greater Houston, TX). .

The plants have red-brown or rust-colored, noticeable glochids in many areoles, especially towards growing tip of pad. The areoles are narrowly eliptic. The glochids are tufted, 3-6(7) mm, and always occur on the side of the areole that is proximal to the growing tip of the cladode.

In the garden or in the wild the plants do not shrivel or flatten for winter. They are upright and generally not prostrate.

Opuntia leptocarpa in flower, garden plant, April 16, 2006. Shiny surface at base of inner tepals showing as white spots on image.

Same flower as above, in cross-section, style cream-white and stigma not showing white-green coloration (appearing more pale yellow than close examination reveals).

April 16, 2006, Opuntia leptocarpa garden plant in flower and bud, the plants are fast growing. This specimen grew from a single pad to multiple blooming pads in 1 year. Plants seem oblivious to soil conditions as long as they have good drainage, extra garden irrigation spurs extra growth.

Opuntia leptocarpa, flower bud on larger plant.

Cluster of flower buds on 1 year-old cladode.

Plant from Beeville, TX with strongly scarlet color at bases of innermost tepals. Other plants may be less red, or with just a dusting of brick-red color.

New pad with leaves (right).

Opuntia leptocarpa, one year-old pad showing spines in most areoles.

Same pad as above (1 year-old with spines in most areoles) showing glochids tufted in areoles towards distal end of pad (the growing point). Red circle indicated growing point, red arrows indicate tufts of glochids.