Engelmann, Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 3: 301, 1856/1857
Details
Opuntia arenaria is described as a variety of O. polyacantha in the Flora of North America. We regard it as a stand-alone species. Britton and Rose reported that the species grows in pure sand. Some reports indicate the plants have rhizomes up to 5-ft long growing under the surface of the sand. Cladodes arise from the rhizomes to 8- to 12-inches tall. Cladodes are 2 to 3-inches long by 1- or 2-inches wide. Spines are found on most areoles of the small pads; longest spines may be 1-inch long. O. arenaria habitat is being destroyed by development, dumping, and off-road driving, etc. See the original citation. Opuntia arenaria is diploid.
Opuntia arenaria
Opuntia arenaria
Opuntia arenaria
Opuntia arenaria
Opuntia arenaria habitat, Vinton, NM
Opuntia arenaria habitat, Vinton, NM
Opuntia arenaria habitat, Vinton, NM
Opuntia arenaria, Dona Ana Co. NM, Patrick Alexander
Opuntia arenaria, Samalayuca, MX, Samuel Andrés Gamboa
Opuntia arenaria, near El Paso, TX
Opuntia arenaria, Northern Nursery
Opuntia arenaria, plants.usda.gov
Opuntia arenaria, plants.usda.gov
Opuntia arenaria, Samalayuca, MX, Samuel Andrés Gamboa
Opuntia arenaria, Samalayuca, MX, Samuel Andrés Gamboa
Opuntia arenaria, Samalayuca, MX, Samuel Andrés Gamboa
Opuntia arenaria, south of Las Cruces. NM, Patrick Alexander
Opuntia arenaria, south of Las Cruces. NM, Patrick Alexander
Opuntia arenaria, south of Las Cruces. NM, Patrick Alexander
Opuntia arenaria, Vado, NM
Opuntia arenaria, Vado, NM
Opuntia arenaria, Vinton, NM
Opuntia arenaria, Vinton, NM
Opuntia arenaria, Vinton, NM
New Mexico Rare Plants reports:
This species is closely akin to other dry-fruited species of Opuntia, but due to its low chromosome number and morphological stability, it is usually considered to be a distinct and well-defined species. Opuntia polyacantha (incl. O. erinacea) may be separated by its larger size (joints usually well over 3 cm in diameter) and firmly attached joints, as well as the fact that many individuals have pink, red, or magenta pigmentation in their flowers. Opuntia polyacantha is tetraploid (2n = 44), whereas O. arenaria is diploid (2n = 22). Opuntia polyacantha and O. arenaria are not known to occur sympatrically.