Opuntia engelmannii var. flexispina
Madroño 35: 348. 1988.
Basionym: Opuntia flexispina Griffiths Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 43: 87. 1916
Synonyms: Opuntia strigil var. flexispina (Griffiths) L. D. Benson
Revision as of 21:57, 5 November 2020 by imported>Volume Importer
Stem segments ovate to subcircular, 20–35 × 15–30 cm, to 1.5 times longer than wide. Spines (0–)1–5 per areole, evenly distributed on stem segments, deflexed sharply (not arching) or recurving laterally, yellow, sometimes with brown basal portions, flexible, the longest 50–80 mm.
Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Rangelands, on hills
Elevation: 100-200 m
Discussion
Of conservation concern.
Opuntia engelmannii var. flexispina is recognized here reluctantly because it is so poorly known; more study is required to assess its status. Its distribution is limited to Webb and Zapata counties, Texas, according to D. Weniger (1970).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.