familyCactaceae
subfamilyCactaceae subfam. Opuntioideae
genusCylindropuntia
speciesCylindropuntia acanthocarpa
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis
J. Arizona-Nevada Acad. Sci. 32: 42. 1999.
Basionym: Opuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis L. D. Benson Cacti Arizona ed. 3, 20, 34, figs. 1.4–1.6. 1969
Trees or sometimes shrubs, with few branches, usually at acute angles. Stem segments ± yellowish green, 10–30 cm; tubercles salient, elongate, (1.5–)2–3 cm. Spines 18–30+ per areole, yellow to light brown, aging dark gray, baggy sheathed; major abaxial spines deflexed to divergent. Flowers: inner tepals bright yellow. Fruits densely spiny; areoles 16–30. 2n = 22.
Phenology: Flowering spring–early summer (Mar–Jun).
Habitat: Sonoran and Mojave deserts, edges of juniper woodlands, sandy flats, rocky slopes
Elevation: 400-1200 m
Distribution
Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah, Mexico (Sonora).
Discussion
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.