Opuntia aurea
| Opuntia aurea | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Opuntia |
| Species: | O. aurea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Opuntia aurea E.M.Baxter
| |
Opuntia aurea is a cactus that grows in Southern Utah and possibly Northern Arizona.
Description
It is prostrate and forms irregularly sprawling plants to about three feet across. Cladodes grow up to 10 (sometimes 15) cm long. Occasionally a single pad may grow upright. Areoles are slightly sunken. The cactus can be spineless, have a few spines or have multiple spines. Spines may be in the distal areoles only.
Flowers may range from pale yellow to strong pink. The fruits typically bear no spines, but a few may appear at the apex. Seeds are circular with diameters around 7-8 mm.[2][3]
References
- ^ Pinkava, D.J.; Baker, M.; Puente, R. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Opuntia aurea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T151954A121574153. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T151954A121574153.en. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Cactus and Succulent Journal (U.S.)5(6): 489, 1983" (PDF). Opuntia Web.
- ^ "Opuntia aurea, western garden prickly pear cactus, nice". 2011-12-24. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opuntia aurea.