Opuntia polyacantha var. arenaria

(Engelmann) B. D. Parfitt

Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 70: 188. 1998.

Common names: Sand pricklypear
Conservation concern
Basionym: Opuntia arenaria Engelmann Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 3: 301. 1856
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 147.

Stem segments narrowly obovate, 4–7 × 2–3(–5) cm; areoles 4–6 per diagonal row across midstem segment, 8–11 mm apart. Spines in most areoles, of 2 kinds: major spines 1–3 per areole, only in distal 3–9 areoles, reflexed to porrect, brown, longest 20–40 mm; minor spines 5–7 per areole, strongly deflexed, white, 4–7 mm, except middle one to 14 mm. Fruits slender; areoles 10–14, bearing 3–6 spines, to 8 mm. 2n = 22.


Phenology: Flowering late spring.
Habitat: Sandy barren areas, small dunes
Elevation: 1000-1300 m

Distribution

V4 285-distribution-map.gif

N.Mex., Tex., Mexico (Chihuahua).

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Donald J. Pinkava +
(Engelmann) B. D. Parfitt +
Opuntia arenaria +
Sand pricklypear +
N.Mex. +, Tex. +  and Mexico (Chihuahua). +
1000-1300 m +
Sandy barren areas, small dunes +
Flowering late spring. +
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) +
Conservation concern +
Tunas polyacantha +
Opuntia polyacantha var. arenaria +
Opuntia polyacantha +
variety +