a.k.a. Twistspine Pricklypear
Opuntia macrorhiza
Family: Cactus

One of the things that I’ve recently noticed about these cacti is that their needles look different in disturbed areas. The greater the disturbance the greater the number of needles. There is also a difference in the direction they point. The heavily disturbed plants possess needles that point downward. I’ll place more photos in as I take them so you can see what I’m talking about.

Of course … it is possible that we could have two different species here. I’m going to study this article and then go have another look.

The cacti in the featured image though, are clearly Opuntia macrorhiza, due to the fact the needles are so much larger at the top of the plant than the bottom (basal end).

Since writing the above, I have been out several times and examining the Prickly Pears on the property, thus far, I’ve only seen the one species.

Return to the root of the plants

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