Opuntia polyacantha var. arenaria
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 70: 188. 1998.
Common names: Sand pricklypear
Conservation concern
Basionym: Opuntia arenaria Engelmann Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 3: 301. 1856
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 147.
Revision as of 23:13, 27 May 2020 by imported>Volume Importer
Stem segments narrowly obovate, 4–7 × 2–3(–5) cm; areoles 4–6 per diagonal row across midstem segment, 8–11 mm apart. Spines in most areoles, of 2 kinds: major spines 1–3 per areole, only in distal 3–9 areoles, reflexed to porrect, brown, longest 20–40 mm; minor spines 5–7 per areole, strongly deflexed, white, 4–7 mm, except middle one to 14 mm. Fruits slender; areoles 10–14, bearing 3–6 spines, to 8 mm. 2n = 22.
Phenology: Flowering late spring.
Habitat: Sandy barren areas, small dunes
Elevation: 1000-1300 m
Distribution
N.Mex., Tex., Mexico (Chihuahua).
Discussion
Of conservation concern.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.