Introduction
The plant is medium-sized, shrubby clumps with obovate to orbicular, medium green, and moderately thick cladodes. Its flowers are yellow, sometimes tinged with red, and its fruits are reddish-purple, fleshy, and edible.
The Details
It occurs in the Chihuahuan Desert region of southern New Mexico, parts of far west Texas, and northern Mexico. It is found on gravelly soils, desert flats, and bajadas. Its elevation range is typically 1,200-1,600 m. The species’ distinctness as a species has been debated, with some authors treating it as a local variant of Opuntia macrocentra due to overlapping morphology, while others recognize it as valid due to its narrow distribution, growth form, and spine characteristics. The name remains in use among regional botanists and in checklists.
All photos are by Carlos Cervantes.
Additional Reading: Opuntia macrocentra, Black Spine Prickly Pear
