Opuntiads of the USA

Mission

Opuntia Species

Assorted Cacti

Opuntia Country

Opuntia Country 2

Opuntia Country 3

World Opuntiads

Notes from the Editors

Culture Notes

Literature

Editorial Board

News

WWW Links

Agave Photos

Opuntia polyacantha

Opuntia polyacantha is variable species ranging from Mexico into Canada. There is some debate about what the correct names of the varieties should be, and how to differentiate them. The following list is under consideration for inclusion herein.

O. polyacantha v. polyacantha
O. polyacantha v. erinacea (images on separate page)
O. polyacantha v. juniperina
O. polyacantha v. hystricina
O. polyacantha v. schweriniana (images on separate page)

O. polyacantha, near Corazon, NM, flowers with red stamen filaments.	O. polyacantha, close-up of flower, plants near Trujillo, NM.	O. polyacantha, near Corazon, NM.
O. polyacantha, Conchas Lake State Park, NM, growing in silty-sand.	O. polyacantha, Conchas Lake State Park, NM, growing in sandy soil.	O. polyacantha, Conchas Lake State Park, NM, growing in sandy soil below spillway.
O. polyacantha, near Pilar, NM, dehdrated for winter, plants almost silver-gray in March sun, plads small but not O. polyacantha v. schweriniana.	O. polyacantha v. hystricina near Pilar, NM, very fuzzy/hairy plants, but not O. trichiphora.	O. polyacantha, Albuquerque, NM, empty lot, May, 2006.
O. polyacantha, Albuquerque, NM, pink (magenta) flower, May, 2006.	O. polyacantha, Albuquerque, NM, close-up of flower, blur on right flower is due to insect movement.	O. polyacantha, Albuquerque, NM, pink (magenta) flower, May, 2006.
O. polyacantha, May, 2006, Placitas, NM.	O. polyacantha, May, 2006, Placitas, NM, close-up of pad, dehyrated from drought, even though springtime.	O. polyacantha, May, 2006, Placitas, NM.
Opuntia polyacantha, Palo Duro Canyon, September, 2007	Opuntia polyacantha, Palo Duro Canyon, September, 2007	Opuntia polyacantha in forbs, Palo Duro Canyon
Images in the next section were provided by Craig Howe who retains copyright (2008). The origins of the cultivars and their names are not documented herein; the names reflect the name of the materials as Mr. Howe received them.
Opuntia polyacantha cv. 'Utah Sunset'	Opuntia polyacantha cv. 'Utah Sunset'	Opuntia polyacantha cv. 'Carmin'
Opuntia polyacantha cv. 'Carmin'	Opuntia polyacantha cv. 'Forever'	Opuntia polyacantha cv. 'Forever'
Opuntia polyacantha var. erinaceae, orignal plant from region of Snow Canyon State Park, UT	Close-up of image at left	Garden grown Opuntia polyacantha var. erinaceae, original plant from Utah Hill, UT (near St. George, UT)
NOTE: Also, see images at Opuntia polyacantha var. erinaceae on separate page.
Opuntia polyacantha, Golden Valley, AZ, along Hwy 68	Opuntia polyacantha, Golden Valley, AZ, along Hwy 68	Opuntia polyacantha, Golden Valley, AZ, along Hwy 68
Opuntia polyacantha, Golden Valley, AZ, along Hwy 68	Close-up of plant at left	Opuntia polyacantha, Golden Valley, AZ, along Hwy 68
Opuntia polyacantha, Kingman, AZ, summer 2007	Opuntia polyacantha with O. basilaris, Kingman, AZ	Opuntia polyacantha along roadside, just north of Kingman, AZ, summer 2007, Stockton Hill Rd.
Opuntia polyacantha along roadside, just north of Kingman, AZ, summer 2007, Stockton Hill Rd.	Opuntia polyacantha along roadside, with Datura sp., near Kingman AZ	Opuntia polyacantha, north of Kingman, AZ, summer 2007, Stockton Hill Rd., Opuntia (Cylindropuntia) ramosissima in background