Opuntia flavispina (O. engelmannii var flavispina)

Opuntia flavispina
Opuntia flavispina

(L Benson) BD Parfitt & Pinkava, Madrono 35(4): 348, 1988 [1989]

Herbarium; HerbariumHerbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium

Original Citation 

What is Opuntia flavispina?

Opuntia flavispina is an attractive prickly pear that has long yellow spines sweeping down from the areoles. It is medium-sized, not as tall as O. engelmannii but taller than O. phaeacantha

Details

Plants may be approximately 1 m across and 0.5-1 m tall. The branches are ascending or prostrate with some upright branches. The obovate or oval cladodes may be 15-22 cm long and 10-20 cm wide. Primary spines are up to 7.5 cm long but are often 3 to 4 cm long. O. flavispina is characterized by a single, deflexed, long, yellow spine at many areoles. This major spine often has a burgundy base that darkens as the pads age. A much shorter secondary spine may be present. The second spine often deflexes downward more strongly than the first spine. Overall, because of the copious yellow spines, the plant often has a greenish-yellow look. 

Flowers are yellow with green stigmas. Deep red fruit is roundish or barrel-shaped with a distinctly depressed umbilicus. Sometimes fruit may be longish, almost clavate. Over time the fruit becomes dull purple. 

O. flavispina is hexaploid.

Other Notes

O. flavispina was published as a variety of O. engelmannii. Prior to that, it was described as a variety of O. phaeacantha. Nonetheless, we accept it as an undescribed, stand-alone species.

O. flavispina occurs sporadically in southern Arizona and adjacent Mexico.  

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