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# Opuntia Web

...glochids are forever

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.opuntiads.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.opuntiads.com/) - Oppuntias of the USA
- [Opuntia gilvescens, Bajada Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-gilvescens/) - Opuntia gilvescens is a widespread prickly pear cactus; the authors have found it in OK (Arbuckle Mountains and west), in western TX, in many parts of NM as well as in AZ, southern portions of NV, UT, and CO, and in the mountains of the eastern CA Mojave Desert. Similar-appearing prickly pears have been found in the mountains east of Palm Springs, CA.
- [Opuntia abjecta, Keys Spanish Lady](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-abjecta/) - There is the potential for Opuntia invasion in many warm and dry parts of the world such as Australia and Africa. Prickly pears can invade.
- [Opuntia covillei, Coville Shrub Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-covillei/) - Opuntia covillei is a medium-sized prickly pear that grows in angular shapes. Areoles have 4-8 whitish spines. The cacti often grow in impenetrable thickets 2- to 3-ft tall.
- [Opuntia fusco-atra, Dark-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-fusco-atra-dark-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Opuntia camanchica, Comanche Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-camanchica/) - Opuntia camanchica is a cactus similar in habit to O. phaeacantha, but it is a woodier plant (it has more substantial supportive tissues in its stems). Thus, under comparable conditions, it grows into a taller prickly pear than O. phaeacantha and remains more erect in winter.
- [Opuntia flavispina, Yellow-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-flavispina/) - Opuntia flavispina has not been published as a stand-alone cactus species; it was published as a variety of O. engelmannii. Nonetheless, we accept it as an undescribed prickly pear.
- [Opuntia chisosensis, Chisos Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-chisosensis/) - Opuntia chisosensis occurs only in the Big Bend region of Texas and adjacent Mexico where it grows at higher elevations in wooded areas where it is a distinctive cactus. Spines are bright yellow,
- [Opuntia azurea, Purple Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-azurea/) - Opuntia azurea is an attractive prickly pear related to O. chisosensis and O. macrocentra and a few other cacti. A description of O. azurea appears on page 130 of The Cacti of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas
- [Opuntia azurea test](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-azurea-test/)
- [Opuntia confusa, Confusing Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-confusa/) - Opuntia confusa is an interesting prickly pear because some cladodes have spination similar to that of that the cactus, O. dulcis, whereas other cladodes have spination similar to that of Engelmannii cactus.
- [Opuntia chlorotica chlorotica, Pancake Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-chlorotica/) - O. chlorotica chlorotica is the prickly pear cactus that summons up visions of gunfights and posses. Following the example of Ferguson (1988), we treat Opuntia chlorotica chlorotica as a species with three varieties: chlorotica, santa-rita, and gosseliniana.
- [Opuntia columbiana, Columbia Plateau Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-columbiana/) - Opuntia columbiana is referred to as O. xcolumbiana by some botanists (Anderson, 2001) who maintain that O. xcolumbiana is a prickly pear hybrid between O. polyacantha erinacea and O. fragilis. Or, perhaps it is a hybrid of the cactus, O. polyacantha.
- [Opuntia chlorotica santa-rita, Santa-Rita Purple Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-santa-rita/) - Opuntia chlorotica var santa-rita is often treated as a stand-alone species of cactus, but we consider it a variety of O. chlorotica herein. It was described as such a prickly bear by Ferguson in 1988.
- [Opuntia chlorotica gosseliniana, Sonoran Purple Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-gosseliniana/) - Opuntia chlorotica gosseliniana is a variety of O. chlorotica (Ferguson, 1988). It is native to Mexico, and it barely reaches into the United States in far southern Arizona on land of the Tohono O'odham Nation. These prickly pear cacti may reach 3-ft tall
- [Opuntia dillenii, Australian Pest Pear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-dillenii/) - Opuntia dillenii is a coastal prickly pear cactus of the southern Atlantic coastal states and perhaps the western coast of FL. Maybe some of the Islands were home to it in pre-Columbian times. However, the species has spread to other continents including South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia and is an invasive cactus in some of these new areas. 
- [Opuntia aurea, Zion Beavertail Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/opunia-aurea/) - Opuntia aurea is a cactus that grows in southern UT and northern AZ. It is a prostrate prickly pear and forms irregularly sprawling plants to about 3-ft across.
- [Opuntia alta, Tree Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-alta-2/) - Opuntia alta is a large arborescent prickly pear; some ancient plants grow to 10- to 15-foot tall. It forms a cactus tree that typically has one main trunk that can be 15-inches across in mature specimens. The cladodes are generally of uniform shape
- [Opuntia cespitosa, Common Eastern Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-cespitosa/) - Opuntia cespitosa is a prickly pear included in the broadly defined O. humifusa group (O. humifusa s.l.) of cacti. O. cespitosa resembles O. humifusa and has long been overlooked by botanists because it was considered synonymous with O. humifusa.
- [Opuntia charlestonensis, Mt. Charleston Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-charlestonensis/) - Opuntia charlestonensis is a prickly pear that occurs from about 6,000 to 8,000 ft on Mt Charleston, NV. It is proposed to be a hybrid cactus between two cacti, O. phaeacantha and O. polyacantha erinacea
- [Opuntia canada, Canyon Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-canada/) - Opuntia canada is a large, erect, ascending cactus that grows in far southern AZ. It is a compact-appearing prickly pear to about 3- or even 4-ft tall with ovate (or obovate) cladodes.
- [Opuntia caesia, Bluish Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-caesia/) - Opuntia caesia is a larger prickly pear than O. phaeacantha; it may reach 6-ft across and be about 2-ft tall with erect branches that rise from spreading branches.
- [Opuntia cacanapa (incl 'Ellisiana'), Cacanapa/Ellisiana Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-cacanapa-incl-o-ellisiana/) - Opuntia cacanapa occurs in southwest TX in Zapata, Web, and Brewster Counties and in adjacent Mexico. The pads are blue-green and often glaucous; the spines may be up to 3 inches long and are yellow but sometimes brown at the base. See the original citation.
- [Opuntia aciculata, Chenille pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-aciculata/) - Opuntia aciculata is a prickly pear that is separate from O. strigil, O. engelmannii, or O. lindheimeri, though it has been conflated with these species of opuntias.
- [Opuntia blakeana, Blake Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-blakeana/) - Opuntia blakeana is a small, spreading Sonoran Desert prickly pear. The cladodes of this cactus are typically dark green but may have brown or purple tints. The spines are short and light- or dark-brown
- [Opuntia bentonii, Gulf Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opunti-bentonii/) - O. bentonii prickly pears are distinct from Opuntia lindheimeri in several ways. Whereas O. lindheimeri can become a quite large cactus (tall and broad), O. bentonii is typically 2-ft tall or less. O. bentonii remains small in cultivation.
- [Opuntia basilaris, Beavertail Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-basilaris-2/) - O. basilaris is a distinctive plant; it has the archetypical "beaver tail" cactus look. The cladodes form dense clumps 5-20 inches tall 1(5) ft across. The pads are blue-green and often wedge shaped. Most varieties do not have spines. There are at least 5 described
- [Opuntia austrina, Florida Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-austrina/) - Opuntia austrina is a small bushy prickly pear. Mature plants typically have a well-defined trunk and grow to 3-ft tall, but smaller plants are common. This prickly pear cactus grows in disturbed areas
- [Opuntia atrispina, Black-and-yellow-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-atrispina-2/) - Opuntia atrispina is an early-flowering prickly pear from Texas and Mexico. Cladodes on this cactus are green and 3- to 4-inches wide by 6(7)-inches long and egg shaped, obovate, or circular
- [Opuntia arizonica, Arizona Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-arizonica/) - Opuntia arizonica is a seldom-reported species of prickly pear cactus. It is not rare but is usually lumped into O. engelmannii. It has been found near Congress, AZ and in Tucson, AZ but probably ranges wider.
- [Opuntia arenaria, Sand Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-arenaria/) - Opuntia arenaria is described as a variety of O. polyacantha in the Flora of North America. We regard this cactus as a stand-alone species of prickly pear. 
- [Opuntia angustata (provisional description), Narrow Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-angustata/) - Opuntia angustata is a poorly understood or documented prickly pear reported from northwestern Arizona and adjacent portions of Nevada and California. The photos presented here represent our concept of this cactus.
- [Opuntia anahuacensis, Anahuac Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-anahuacensis/) - Opuntia anahuacensis is a cactus of sandy soils associated with the Gulf of Mexico; this has earned it the name beach prickly pear. The plants are a foot or two tall, but they form large horizontal thickets
- [Opuntia ammophila, Devils Tongue](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-ammophila/) - Some authorities have described Opuntia ammophila as a variety or subspecies of O. humifusa. We accept O. ammophila as a distinct species separate from O. humifusa.
- [Opuntia demissa, Low Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-demissa-low-pricklypear/)
- [Opuntia debreczyi, Potato Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-debreczyi/) - Opuntia debreczyi may have O. fragilis and O. polyacantha rhodantha in its ancestry, but it behaves as a species in habitat and reproduces separately from other species. It grows from southwestern WY and across western CO to eastern UT; it also grows barely into northeastern AZ and northwestern NM but is not common in these latter states.
- [Opuntia discata, Bird-foot Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-discata/) - Opuntia discata prickly pears are ascending and compact to 3- to 4-ft tall and perhaps as wide unlike O. engelmannii which is a more spreading and open cactus.
- [Opuntia humifusa, Eastern Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-humifusa/) - Opuntia humifusa ranges from New England to Virginia. It is essentially spineless. It is easy to grow, and its cheerful flowers make it a great garden plant.
- [Opuntia lindheimeri (incl 'Linguiformis'), Lindheimer Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-lindheimeri/) - Opuntia lindheimeri is a widespread prickly pear cactus, from Louisiana to the Pecos River in West Texas. O. lindheimeri is treated as a species separate and distinct from O. engelmannii herein.
- [Opuntia curvispina, Searchlight Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-curvospina/) - Opuntia curvospina is mentioned in the literature with 2 spellings, curvospina and curvispina. Opuntia curvospina was described as a hybrid population (Opuntia ×curvispina);
- [Opuntia Chromosomes and DNA](https://www.opuntiads.com/chromosomes/) - An index to many cacti and prickly pears for which there is published chromosome information is at: Index to Plant Chromosome Numbers (IPCN, Tropicos). Opuntia are discussed extensively. 
- [Opuntia mojavensis, Mojave Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-mojavensis/) - Opuntia mojavensis is an enigma. The only historical drawing of this cactus shows 2 spine clusters and an immature or sterile fruit. The herbarium sheet (lectotype) for this prickly pear also has limited material.
- [Opuntia woodburyi, Woodbury Beavertail Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-woodbury-woodbury-beavertail-cactus/)
- [Opuntia fragilis, Fragile Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-fragilis/)
- [Opuntia engelmannii, Engelmann Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-engelmannii/) - Opuntia engelmannii (including O. gregoriana) is a common and large prickly pear. It has been confused with other large cactus species such as O. valida or O. orbiculata. Green and Ferguson (2011) provide a longer account of "lumped and unlumped" opuntiads (Index 3).
- [Opuntia dulcis, Sweet Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-dulcis/) - Opuntia dulcis is a more upright cactus than O. camanchica and the spines are fewer and more slender. There are 2-(4) spines per areole in this prickly pear. While spines may be brown at their bases and white at the tips, they vary and may be other colors depending upon the population of this prickly pear.
- [Opuntia diploursina, Meadview Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-diploursina/) - Opuntia diploursina was found in Aizona near Meadview. It has similarities with O. polyacantha erinacea; however, there are differences between the two prickly pears. A major difference between the two cacti is that one is diploid and one is tetraploid.
- [Opuntia cyclodes, Anton Chico Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntdia-cyclodes/) - Opuntia cyclodes is a little-studied prickly pear from NM. It was originally described as a variety of O. engelmannii; however, the two cacti are visually distinct and intermediates are not found.
- [Opuntia Web](https://www.opuntiads.com/welcome/) - Here are 90 USA Opuntia species. A prickly pear cactus is an opuntiad with unusual shapes and beautiful flowers. Prickly pear fruit is edible and delicious.
- [Opuntia orbiculata, Round-pad Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-orbiculata/) - Opuntia orbiculata is a cactus that may reach 1 m tall, but exceptional plants may be 1 1/2 m tall. Small plants in cold areas may be 0.5 m tall or less.
- [Opuntia tardospina, Late-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-tardospina/) - Opuntia tardospina is a large prickly pear first reported from the Lampasas, TX region. Griffiths reported that it is an unusual cactus for several reasons. The glochids are numerous and prominent (up to 12 to 15 mm-long even on pads of the current year).
- [Opuntia pyrocarpa, Fiery-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-pyrocarpa/) - Opuntia pyrocarpa is a commonly encountered prickly pear in central and north-central Texas where it grows in deep limestone-derived soils. The cactus may occur well into Mexico.
- [Opuntia valida, Strong Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-valida/) - Opuntia valida is a handsome prickly pear cactus. The spination, areoles, and habit of this cactus are distinctive.
- [Opuntia toumeyi, Toumey Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-toumeyi/) - Opuntia toumeyi is a low but not prostrate, bushy prickly pear with pads narrowed towards the base. The cactus may appear yellowish-green and has brownish-white or white spines
- [Opuntia tortispina, Twist-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-tortispina/) - Opuntia tortispina is a cactus that has been confused with O. cymochila, O. mackensenii, O. phaeacantha, O. polyacantha, and even O. macrorhiza. O. tortispina may grow alongside the other prickly pears, but it is distinct.
- [Opuntia rufida, Blind Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-rufida/) - Opuntia rufida is a prickly pear that occurs in the Big Bend area of Texas and south into the greater Chihuahuan Desert. The much-branched cactus may reach 3-ft tall and a bit wider. The species makes up for its total lack of spines with a profusion of red-brown glochids.
- [Opuntia riparia, Arroyo Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-riparia/) - Opuntia riparia is a prickly pear that grows in low, wide thickets in southern AZ that are rarely more than waste high, but occasional cactus stems may reach 5-ft tall. Pads are often elongate, averaging about 8-inches long.
- [Opuntia pottsii, Potts Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-pottsii/) - Opuntia pottsii is a small cactus, sometimes just a few inches tall. The Flora of North America (FNA) reports that this prickly pear has (0)1 to 6 spines per areole, usually in the distal 40% of stem segments (or less).
- [Opuntia phaeacantha, Tulip Pricklypear, Brown-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-phaeacantha/) - Opuntia phaeacantha is a prickly pear with weak stems. The stems of this cactus have less wood than the related O. camanchica. The pads sag in winter and can even lie down flat on the ground as in O. tortispina or O. macrorhiza. Unlike O. tortispina, there are no sharply defined transverse wrinkles on the pads.
- [Opuntia lubrica, Shiny Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-lubrica-2/) - Opuntia lubrica is a prickly pear that has some similarity to O.rufida; however, O. lubrica has shiny pads that are not pubescent as in the other cactus.
- [Opuntia laevis, Smooth Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-laevis/) - Opuntia laevis is a prickly pear cactus that grows in various locations in southern AZ but particularly on canyon walls rather than floors. Many plants are naturally spineless
- [Opuntia cymochila, Plains Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-cymochila/) - Opuntia cymochila Engelmann & J. M. Bigelow, Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 3: 295, 1856 Opuntia cymochila was originally described from near Tucumcari, New Mexico, with the synonym "oplocarpa" described from Golden Colorado, and the synonym "fusiformis" described from eastern KS and Fort Smith AK.
- [Opuntia allairei, Allaire Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-allairei-allairei-pricklypear/)
- [Opuntia zuniensis, Zuni Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-zuniensis/) - Opuntia zuniensis is a prickly pear cactus that has been lumped together with O. phaeacantha, O. tortispina, or O. camanchica. Herein, it is considered to be a stand-alone species of prickly pear.
- [Opuntia zebrina, Zebra-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-zebrina/) - Opuntia zebrina is a medium-sized prickly pear cactus of the Florida Keys. It is named "zebrina" because it has spines that are banded yellow(tan) and dark brown.
- [Opuntia xanthoglochia, Yellow-glochid Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-xanthoglochia/) - Opuntia xanthoglochia is a cactus found in central TX, east of Austin although it may range into other areas. These prickly pears resemble O. macrorhiza and the cactus has been conflated with that species.
- [Opuntia wootonii, Wooton Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-wootonii/) - Opuntia wootonii is a prickly pear cactus that has been named variously. The cacti are spreading and ascending to 2- or 3-ft tall. They are not prostrate though primary branches may rest
- [Opuntia woodsii, Zion Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-woodsii/) - Opuntia woodsii has been proposed to be synonymous with numerous other prickly pears. It has even been proposed to be a pink- or red-flowered hybrid of various parents. But O. woodsii is a distinct cactus; it is a self-reproducing species and is not a hybrid population.
- [Opuntia vaseyi, Apricot Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-vaseyi/) - Opuntia vaseyi is a low, spreading, bushy prickly pear cactus found "along and near the coast of southern California." It often forms thickets 12 to 15-inches tall.
- [Opuntia tunoidea, Carolina Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-tunoidea/) - Opuntia tunoidea is not synonymous with O. dillenii as proposed by Britton and Rose, and the prickly pear cactus depicted here is not O. dillenii.
- [Opuntia turbinata, Turban-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-turbinata/) - Opuntia turbinata is a prickly pear cactus that occurs in colonies along the coast. The cladodes are obovate, oval, or nearly circular, 4- to 6-inches long and thick.
- [Opuntia trichophora, Woolly Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-trichophora/) - Opuntia trichophora has been treated as a variety of O. polyacantha. Herein we treat it as a stand-alone species of prickly pear. Cacti are small, 10-25 cm tall and with relatively small pads.
- [Opuntia macrorhiza, Prairie Pricklypear, Prarie Rose](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-macrorhiza/) - Opuntia macrorhiza is a small, prostrate prickly pear, seldom reaching 10 inches in height or more than 2- to 3-ft across. O. macrorhiza has a large geographic range (for any cactus)
- [Opuntia strigil, Marble-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-strigil/) - Opuntia strigil is a prickly pear in west TX, mostly west of the Pecos River and apparently not entering NM. The cactus grows on limestone hills from 2500 to 4500 ft
- [Opuntia stricta, Shell Mound Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-stricta/) - Opuntia stricta is a coastal prickly pear that occurs on the shores of FL and other southeastern states. The cactus may occur in the Caribbean
- [Opuntia spinosibacca, Boquillas Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-spinosibacca/) - Opuntia spinosibacca is prickly pear found only in the Big Bend region of Texas in the USA, but it is also likely found in adjacent MX. It is a large cactus,
- [Opuntia semispinosa, Partly-spined Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-semispinosa-2/) - Opuntia semispinosa is a coastal prickly pear from southern CA and Mexico that has been variously lumped into O. occidentalis or confused with O. littoralis and other coastal cacti.
- [Opuntia sanguinicola, Blood-bristle Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-sanguinocola/) - Opuntia sanguinicola is a cactus that resembles a gracile form of O. gilvescens. However, O. sanguinicola is a distinct prickly pear that prefers deep soils (limestone-derived) as opposed to the rocky soils preferred by O. gilvescens.
- [Opuntia rugosa, San Dimas Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-rugosa/) - Opuntia rugosa is a prickly pear that was reported from Pomona, CA in the early 1900s and apparently never again. It is a low ascending and spreading cactus to about 2-ft tall.
- [Opuntia pusilla (O. drummondii), Cockspur Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-pusilla/) - Opuntia pusilla is a prickly pear cactus of the coastal plains from North Carolina, across northern Florida, to Mississippi.
- [Opuntia polycarpa, Many-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-polycarpa/) - Opuntia polycarpa is a low-growing, upright prickly pear that forms multiple branches and produces multiple small fruits that are round at the base or slightly narrowed. Often there is a single spine per areole. This cactus typically grows in sandy or deep soils.
- [Opuntia polyacantha, Common Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-polyacantha/) - Opuntia polyacantha is a variable species ranging from Mexico near CA, southern CA, to TX, and into Canada. We recognize 7 varieties. Not all have been formally described as varieties
- [Opuntia pinkavae, Houserock Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-pinkavae/) - Opuntia pinkavae is a small prickly pear. Long before publication of the name "pinkavae", this cactus was distributed under the name O. kaibabensis
- [Opuntia oricola, Pacific Pancake Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-oricola/) - Opuntia oricola is probably the easiest prickly pear to recognize in coastal CA. It is also the one cactus that was called O. littoralis the most consistently
- [Opuntia ochrocentra, Bull Suckers](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-ochrocentra/)
- [Opuntia occidentalis, California Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-occidentalis/) - Opuntia occidentalis occurs in southern CA. Britton and Rose reported that the type locality is the "western slopes of the California Mountains," between San Diego and Los Angeles.
- [Opuntia nitens, Shiny Florida Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-nitens/) - Opuntia nitens is a small (3-ft tall or less, but often shorter), erect prickly pear with dull-green or yellow-green cladodes. Spines on this cactus are often single but there may be up to 4 per areole;
- [Opuntia nicholii, Nichol Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-nicholii/) - Opuntia nicholii is an uncommonly encountered prickly pear, occurring in isolated locations in far northern Arizona and southern Utah. The cacti can be large and sprawling, stretching up to 8-feet across or more with each cladode 6- to 14-inches long.
- [Opuntia nemoralis, Texarkana Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-nemoralis/) - Opuntia nemoralis is a southern Midwest prickly pear that has been observed in saline prairies, sandhills, and shale outcrops in AR, LA, and TX. Perhaps this cactus occurs in adjacent states. Plants observed north of Lake Ouachita in AR were glaucous/pruinose, especially in winter
- [Opuntia mesacantha, Southeastern Low Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-mesacantha/) - Opuntia mesacantha is a southeastern prickly pear found in GA and AL. It resembles O. humifusa and O. cespitosa but has distinct differences; see Majure, 2014 and Majure et al, 2012. The cacti are prostrate
- [Opuntia martiniana, Hualapai Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-martiniana/) - Opuntia martiniana is a prickly pear found sporadically on gravelly or rocky soils below 5,000 ft in the Hualapai Mts near Kingman, AZ. The cladodes on the cactus are often round
- [Opuntia macrocentra, Black-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-macrocentra/) - Opuntia macrocentra has been confused with O. chlorotica santa-rita and O. azurea, but the three cacti are distinct. It is unfortunate that O. macrocentra was sometimes mislabeled as a prickly pear variety of O. violaceae
- [Opuntia macrarthra, Eastern Beach Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-macrartha/) - In 1919 Britton and Rose described Opuntia macrarthra as a long overlooked prickly pear; that is still the case today. This cactus is found along the coast of South Carolina and its islands. Britton and Rose describe the taxon as: "Stems prostrate or ascending;
- [Opuntia littoralis, Coastal Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-littoralis/) - Opuntia littoralis is a prickly pear that was described as a variety of O. engelmannii by Engelmann, but the two cactus species are not closely related.
- [Opuntia lindheimeri subarmata, Lindheimer Few-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-lindheimeri-subarmata/) - Opuntia lindheimeri subarmata is a prickly pear that was described as a stand-alone taxon (O. subarmata) by Griffiths. It is the same cactus as O. engelmannii subarmata described by Weinger
- [Opuntia lata, Eastern Low Prickly Pear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-lata/) - Opuntia lata is prickly pear known from central Georgia to northern Florida where it occurs in grassy areas and other openings in pinelands. O. lata forms a prostrate cactus
- [Opuntia keyensis, Florida Keys Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-keyensis-2/) - Opuntia keyensis is native Florida prickly pear. It was originally reported from the Keys and from Cape Sable. It is a large, multi-branched cactus that forms a shrub or small tree growing to over 10 ft-tall.
- [Opuntia gomei, Delta Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-gomei-2/) - Opuntia gomei is a cactus near the coast of southern TX and inland 100 miles or more. O. gomei is a common prickly pear near the Rio Grande River but may occur inland on the South Texas Plains.
- [Opuntia mackensenii, Mackensen's Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-mackensenii/) - Opuntia mackensenii is not a prickly pear recognized by some workers who see it as a form of O. macrorhiza or O. phaeacantha. However, Powell and Weedin (2004) described the cactus clearly.
- [Shaw Writing](https://www.opuntiads.com/shaw-writing/)
- [Opuntia References](https://www.opuntiads.com/references/) - Multiple references were consulted during the construction of this prickly pear website. There are countless confusing references about cacti in general and opuntias in particular. We worked out way through them to decide names. We present some of those references here so you can consult them for yourselves. 
- [Opuntia Biology](https://www.opuntiads.com/hybridization/) - Reproduction, DNA biology, and ecology are powerful drivers of prickly pear biology. The genetics, biology, and speciation of Opuntia are poorly understood. But, there are relevant publications, and our goal with this page is to provide access to some of the literature that does exist.
- [Opuntia rufida](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-rufida-2/)
- [....Seeds](https://www.opuntiads.com/seeds-2/)
- [About](https://www.opuntiads.com/about/) - We enjoy writing about and photographing Opuntias and studying prickly pears in the field. We hope you learn by reading about our findings on prickly pear cacti.
- [Opuntia vaseyi](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-vaseyi-2/)
- [Opuntia tardospina](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-tardospina-2/)
- [Opuntia sp nova aff macrocentra](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-sp-aff-macrorhiza/) - Opuntia sp nova aff macrocentra was observed growing in southern New Mexico, near El Paso, TX, and in adjacent Mexico. This cactus grows with Opuntia macrocentra and is similar to O. macrocentra,
- [Opuntia sp nova aff engelmannii](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-sp-nova-aff-engelmannii/) - Opuntia sp nova aff engelmannii has been observed growing in very rocky situations in central and north-central New Mexico. This prickly pear catus resembles Opuntia engelmannii
- [How Opuntia Species Are Identified](https://www.opuntiads.com/cactus-names-and-literature-citations/) - We provide evidence the form of descriptions, published literature, photo-reproductions of herbarium samples, and in situ photographs.
- [Opuntia sp nova aff macrorhiza](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-santa-fe/) - Opuntia sp nova aff macrorhiza occurs in northern New Mexico and some adjacent locations. It has similarities with Opuntia macrorhiza.
- [Opuntia sp nova aff camanchica](https://www.opuntiads.com/opuntia-sp-nova-aff-camanchica/) - Opuntia sp nova aff camanchica occurs in the area of greater Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a prickly pear cactus that needs more study.

## Categories

- [All Pricklypears](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/all-pricklypears/)
- [Beach Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/beach-pricklypear/)
- [Keys Spanish Lady](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/keys_spanish_lady/)
- [Chenille pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/chenille/)
- [Tree Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/tree/)
- [Devils Tongue](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/devils-tongue/)
- [Anahuac Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/anahuac/)
- [Allairie Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/allairei/)
- [Narrow Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/narrow-pricklypear/)
- [Sand Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/sand-cactus/)
- [Arizona Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/arizona-pricklypear/)
- [Black-and-yellow-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/black-and-yellow-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Zion Beavertail Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/zion-beavertail-cactus/)
- [Florida Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/florida-pricklypear/)
- [Purple Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/purple-pricklypear/)
- [Beavertail Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/beavertail-cactus/)
- [Gulf Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/gulf-pricklypear/)
- [Blake Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/blake-pricklypear/)
- [Cacanapa/Ellisiana Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/cacanapa-ellisiana-pricklypear/)
- [Bluish Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/bluish-pricklypear/)
- [Comanche Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/comanche-pricklypear/)
- [Canyon Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/canyon-pricklypear/)
- [Eastern Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/eastern-pricklypear/)
- [Mt. Charleston Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/mt-charleston-pricklypear/)
- [Chisos Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/chisos-pricklypear/)
- [Pancake Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/pancake-pricklypear/)
- [Sonoran Purple Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/sonoran-purple-pricklypear/)
- [Santa Rita Purple Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/santa-rita-purple-pricklypear/)
- [Columbia Plateau Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/columbia-plateau-pricklypear/)
- [Confusing Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/confusing-pricklypear/)
- [Coville Shrub Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/coville-shrub-pricklypear/)
- [Searchlight Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/searchlight-pricklypear/)
- [Anton Chico Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/anton-chico-pricklypear/)
- [Blood-bristle Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/blood-bristle-pricklypear/)
- [Potato Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/potato-cactus/)
- [Australian Pest Pear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/australian-pest-pear/)
- [Meadview Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/meadview-pricklypear/)
- [Bird-foot Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/bird-foot-pricklypear/)
- [Sweet Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/sweet-pricklypear/)
- [Common Eastern Priklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/common-eastern-priklypear/)
- [Bajada Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/bajada-pricklypear/)
- [Delta Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/delta-pricklypear/)
- [Florida Keys Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/florida-keys-pricklypear/)
- [Smooth Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/smooth-pricklypear/)
- [Eastern Low Prickly Pear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/eastern-low-prickly-pear/)
- [Slender-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/slender-fruit-pricklypear/)
- [Lindheimer Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/lindheimers-few-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Coastal Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/coastal-pricklypear/)
- [Shiny Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/shiny-pricklypear/)
- [Mackensen's Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/mackensens-pricklypear/)
- [Eastern Beach Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/eastern-beach-pricklypear/)
- [Black-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/black-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Prairie Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/prairie-pricklypear/)
- [Hualapai Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/hualapai-pricklypear/)
- [Southeastern Low Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/southeastern-low-pricklypear/)
- [Texarkana Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/texarkana-pricklypear/)
- [Nichol Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/nichol-pricklypear/)
- [Shiny Florida Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/shiny-florida-pricklypear/)
- [Bull Suckers](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/bull-suckers/)
- [Round-pad Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/round-pad-pricklypear/)
- [Pacific Pancake Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/pacific-pancake-pricklypear/)
- [Tulip Pricklypear, Brown-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/tulip-pricklypear-brown-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Houserock Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/houserock-pricklypear/)
- [Mojave Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/mojave-pricklypear/)
- [Porcupine Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/porcupine-cactus/)
- [Juniper Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/juniper-pricklypear/)
- [Plains Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/plains-pricklypear/)
- [Dwarf Mountain Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/dwarf-mountain-cactus/)
- [Utah Hunger Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/utah-hunger-cactus/)
- [Many-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/many-fruit-pricklypear/)
- [Potts Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/potts-pricklypear/)
- [Cockspur Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/cockspur-pricklypear/)
- [Fiery-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/fiery-fruit-pricklypear/)
- [Arroyo Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/arroyo-pricklypear/)
- [Blind Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/blind-pricklypear/)
- [San Dimas Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/san-dimas-pricklypear/)
- [Partly-spined Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/partly-spined-pricklypear/)
- [Boquillas Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/boquillas-pricklypear/)
- [Marble-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/marble-fruit-pricklypear/)
- [Shell Mound Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/shell-mound-pricklypear/)
- [Twist-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/twist-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Toumey Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/toumey-pricklypear/)
- [Woolly Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/woolly-cactus/)
- [Carolina Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/carolina-pricklypear/)
- [Turban-fruit Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/turban-fruit-pricklypear/)
- [Strong Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/strong-pricklypear/)
- [Apricot Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/apricot-pricklypear/)
- [Woodbury Beavertail Cactus](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/woodbury-beavertail-cactus/)
- [Wooton Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/wooton-pricklypear/)
- [Yellow-glochid Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/yellow-glochid-pricklypear/)
- [Zion Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/zion-pricklypear/)
- [Zebra-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/zebra-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Low Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/low-pricklypear/)
- [Engelmann Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/engelmann-pricklypear/)
- [Yellow-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/yellow-spine-pricklypear/)
- [Fragile Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/fragile-pricklypear/)
- [Dark-spine Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/dark-spine-pricklypear/)
- [California Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/california-pricklypear/)
- [Zuni Pricklypear](https://www.opuntiads.com/category/zuni-pricklypear/)

## Tags

- [cold-hardy](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/cold-hardy-opuntias/)
- [Arizona](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/arizona-opuntias/)
- [beach](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/beach-opuntias/)
- [garden](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/garden-opuntias/)
- [large](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/large-opuntias/)
- [small](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/small-opuntias/)
- [purple](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/purple-opuntias/)
- [widespread](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/widespread-opuntias/)
- [blue](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/blue-opuntias/)
- [California](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/california-opuntias/)
- [biology](https://www.opuntiads.com/tag/biology/)

## Picture tag

- [opuntia-alta-Resaca-de-la-Palma-State-Park-2-TX-dee-agave](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/opuntia-alta-resaca-de-la-palma-state-park-2-tx-dee-agave/)
- [Clivia sp. seeds. Photographer unknown.](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/clivia-sp-seeds-photographer-unknown/)
- [Crinum seeds](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/crinum-seeds/)
- [remote germination](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/remote-germination/)
- [Joseph Shaw photographer.](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/joseph-shaw-photographer/)
- [Echinocactus polycephalus Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/echinocactus-polycephalus-engelm-j-m-bigelow/)
- [Opuntia anahuacensis](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/opuntia-anahuacensis/)
- [fruit](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/fruit/)
- [longitudinal cut](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/longitudinal-cut/)
- [David J Ferguson photographer](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/david-j-ferguson-photographer/)
- [Image No. IMG_4008](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/image-no-img_4008/)
- [Opuntia gilvescens seeds](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/opuntia-gilvescens-seeds/)
- [Nanette Hussey photographer.](https://www.opuntiads.com/ngg_tag/nanette-hussey-photographer/)