Opuntia aurea, Zion — *Opuntia* *aurea*, Zion

Baxter, Cactus and Succulent Journal (U.S.) 5(6): 489, 1933

Holotype; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium

Original Description

What is Opuntia aurea?

Opuntia aurea is a prostrate, sprawling species of prickly pear cactus native to southern Utah and extreme northern Arizona. Plants typically form irregular mats reaching up to approximately 1 meter across. While the general growth habit is low and spreading, individual cladodes may occasionally grow upright.

O. aurea is hexaploid.

Details

The cladodes of Opuntia aurea are typically oval to broadly obovate in shape, ranging up to 10(15) cm in length. They are notably thick in appearance and may take on pink or purple hues during the winter months. Areoles are occasionally slightly sunken. The species can be spineless or exhibit a variable number of spines—ranging from a few to many. Spines may occur only in distal areoles or may also be present on the cladode faces. Plants with excessive spination may reflect introgression from adjacent Opuntia species.

Floral coloration in O. aurea is diverse, with blossoms appearing pale yellow, bright yellow, apricot-pink, or deeply pink. This variability enhances its ornamental value. The fruit is dry at maturity and is usually spineless, although one or more spines may occasionally appear at the apex. Seeds are generally circular, measuring up to 7–8 mm in diameter, with marginal rims of 1–2 mm in width.

O. aurea is hexaploid.

Other notes.

Due to its frequently spineless cladodes and sometimes sunken areoles, O. aurea was historically considered closely allied with O. basilaris. However, morphological distinctions between the two are significant. It is possible that one species has influenced the evolutionary background of the other.

In cultivation, O. aurea is highly valued for its aesthetic appeal and manageable size when trimmed. Several forms exhibit good cold-hardiness, and winter coloration may include vivid red-purple tones. Flower colors in cultivation span a broad spectrum from yellow and apricot to pink and magenta.

Special thanks to the Cactus and Succulent Society Journal for permission to reproduce the original description.

New nomenclatural combinations have been proposed for the species.

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