Opuntia blakeana, Arizona prickly pear cactus, unusual

Rose, Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium 12: 402, 1909

**What is Opuntia blakeana?**

Opuntia blakeana is a small, low, spreading, Sonoran Desert prickly pear cactus.

Details

The cladodes of O. blakeana are typically dark green but may have brown or purple coloration around the areoles. Plants rarely reach 60 cm and are often shorter from prostrate-ascending, spreading branches. Short erect branches rise from spreading branches. Old branches may trail on the ground. Cladodes are 1-1.5 cm and and longish obovate. The spines are short and light- or dark-brown, or they may be tan. Often there are 2-3 spines per areole. When present, the dark-brown spines create a handsome Opuntia. The flowers are yellow and often reddish in the center. The plants have limited similarity with O. camanchica, and the flowers and fruits are similar to those of O. phaeacantha.

This prickly pear occurs in the greater Tucson, AZ area and probably throughout southern AZ and adjacent northern Mexico. See the original original description.