These are Opuntias that are cold-hardy to USDA climate zone 7a or colder, especially if they are from high altitudes. Some (e.g., O. polyacantha) can be exceptionally cold hardy.
Engelmann & J. M. Bigelow, Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 3: 295, 1856 Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium;Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Drawing (Bigelow, J.M., The Botany of the Expedition, 1856, plate XII No. 1-3) O. cymochila can be confused with O. polyacantha O. cymochila can be confused […]
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Clokey, Madroño 7(3): 71, 1943 Isotype; Isotype; Isotype; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Original Description What is Opuntia charlestonensis? Opuntia charlestonensis is a high-elevation prickly pear from Kyle Canyon on Mt. Charleston, Nevada (≈6,000–8,000 ft). It has been proposed as a hybrid taxon derived from two sympatric species, O. phaeacantha and O. polyacantha var. erinacea.
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Opuntia cacanapa Griffiths & Hare, New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin (New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts) 60: 47, 1906 Isotype; Neotype; Holotype (O. cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’); Isotype (O. cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’); Herbarium (O. cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’) O. alta is another large Texas Opuntia Original Description What is Opuntia cacanapa? A large, blue-green prickly pear forming
Opuntia cacanapa (incl ‘Ellisiana’), Cacanapa/Ellisiana Pricklypear Read More »
Salm-Dyck, Cacteae in Horto Dyckensi Cultae Anno 1849. 236. Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium; Herbarium (O. ballii); Herbarium (O. ballii) Original Description What is Opuntia pottsii? Opuntia pottsii is a small prickly pear cactus with colorful flowers. It is found in many regions of the West, but it is seldom abundant. It grows from about 3,500 ft
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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, mat-forming prickly-pear of southern Utah and adjacent northern Arizona. Plants typically creep outward in low patches rather than forming upright shrubs,
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