443
Plains prickly pear
Opuntia macrorhiza
Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. is a common and widespread species of cactus with the common names "Plains Prickly Pear" or "Twist-spine Prickly Pear." It is found throughout the Great Plains of the United States, from Texas to Minnesota, as well as in the desert and Rocky Mountain states from Arizona to Idaho, with sporadic populations in the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. It is also reported from northern Mexico, in the states of Chihuahua, Sonora, Coahuila, Nuevo León and San Luís Potosí. The species is cultivated as an ornamental in other locations.
The species prefers dry, sandy or gravelly soils. It is one of the shorter species of the genus, rarely over 30 cm (1 foot) tall, spreading horizontally and forming large clumps. Flowers are showy and bright yellow. Fruits are red, juicy and edible.
19718
Opuntia_macrorhiza
443.jpg
image/jpeg
71889
2012-04-20T09:33:19Z
470
Fruits
Tropical fruits
Type 1
2011-02-09T00:37:42Z
2019-05-14T18:05:25Z
false
specific
1041245
true
FOOD00435