Family: Cactaceae
plains prickly-pear, twist-spine prickly-pear
[Opuntia compressa var. grandiflora J.F.Macbr., more...]
Aaron_Carlson
Paul Drobot
Etymology: Opuntia: Greek name used by Pliny for a different plant which grew around the town of Opus in Greece
Plants: prostrate/spreading/erect, perennial, spiny shrub forming mats up to 5' wide; stems joints very flat and difficult to detach, pads broadly oval
Leaves: usually with several spines together
Flowers: yellow, sometimes with a red center, 7 or more-parted, up to 3" wide; blooms May-July
Fruits: red-purple, fleshy, wingless, juicy, edible; seeds disc-like with rough, corky edges
Habitat: dry; prairies
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: prostrate/spreading/erect, perennial, spiny shrub forming mats up to 5' wide; stems joints very flat and difficult to detach, pads broadly oval
Leaves: usually with several spines together
Flowers: yellow, sometimes with a red center, 7 or more-parted, up to 3" wide; blooms May-July
Fruits: red-purple, fleshy, wingless, juicy, edible; seeds disc-like with rough, corky edges
Habitat: dry; prairies
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 10 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: Rare Species Guide; description, conservation, photos, maps, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.
Paul Drobot
Aaron_Carlson
Hugh H. Iltis
Aaron_Carlson
Hugh H. Iltis
Aaron_Carlson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Aaron Carlson
Hugh H. Iltis
Aaron Carlson
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot