Introduction
This Opuntia has been observed growing in very rocky situations in central and north-central New Mexico. This pricklypear cactus resembles O. engelmannii but is a spinier and smaller cactus. Even gracile forms or shade-grown plants have a spinier appearance than O. engelmannii. Prickly pear cacti from different locations in New Mexico are depicted on this page; we consider that they represent a single taxon. These plants are similar to O. arizonica and may be the same taxon.
