Opuntia atrispina

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Opuntia atrispina
Opuntia14 filtered.jpg
Opuntia atrispina is on the right
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. atrispina
Binomial name
Opuntia atrispina
Griffiths

Opuntia atrispina is a cactus species in the genus Opuntia .

Contents

Description

The flowers open pale yellow (sometimes almost white) and darken with age to rose. Thus, the plants can be adorned with flowers of multiple colors: cream, yellow, salmon, and rose. Newly opened flowers can even have a hint of green in the middle. The spines are yellowish at the tips but dark brown at the bases. [2]

Distribution and Habitat

The plant has limited distribution in the United States. In Texas it can be found from near Uvalde to Del Rio and Langtry—a small strip of area just 50 miles long.[ citation needed ]

Etymology

The epithet of this species means "black-spined", denoting the fact that its spines are dark-brown to black at least in the lower part. [3]

References

  1. Terry, M.; Heil, K. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Opuntia atrispina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T152871A121614199. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152871A121614199.en . Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. "Annual Report Missouri Botanical Garden 21: 172, 1910" (PDF). Opuntia Web.
  3. "Opuntia atrispina, Texas prickly pear cactus". Opuntia Web. 2011-12-24. Retrieved 2021-03-10.