Opuntia macrorhiza
(Plains Prickly Pear)
Opuntia macrorhiza, Abilene State Park, Taylor Co. 8813
Opuntia macrorhiza, Woodland Trail, Inks Lake State Park, Burnet Co. 6416
Opuntia macrorhiza, 5-1/2 Mile Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco Co. 1564
Opuntia macrorhiza, Woodland Trail, Inks Lake State Park, Burnet Co. 6425
Opuntia macrorhiza, 5-1/2 Mile Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco Co. 1561
Opuntia macrorhiza, Abilene State Park, Taylor Co. 8819
Opuntia macrorhiza, 5-1/2 Mile Loop, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco Co. 1567
Opuntia macrorhiza, Woodland Trail, Inks Lake State Park, Burnet Co. 6419
| Scientific Name | Opuntia macrorhiza | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OPMA2 |
| Common Name | Plains Prickly Pear, Twist-spine Prickly Pear | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19718 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Sand or limestone, rocky, gravelly soils in open areas. Plant: Low-growing, sprawling, clump forming plant usually less than 16 inches, or one or two pad segments, tall; clumps 20 inches to 6-1/2 feet across. Pads & Spines: Pads circular to obovate, 3 to 6 inches long or wide; becoming wrinkled; 5 to 8 areoles per diagonal row across the middle; 1 to 3 spines in upper areoles, whitish with darker bases (yellowish to brownish), 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 inches long, straight or slightly curved, mostly pointing downward; dense tufts of pale yellow to red-brown glochids. Inflorescence: Yellow flowers, usually with red centers, 2 to 2-1/2 inches across, often in groups along the upper edge of the pads; pale yellow filaments and yellow anthers; white style and cream to yellowish stigma lobes. Bloom Period: May and June. Fruit: Flesh, smooth, green to yellowish to dull red; elongated 1 to 1-1/2 inches long and 5/8 to 1-1/8 inches in diameter; 16 to 28 areoles. References: "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024