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 Plant - summer Granite Mtn - Tr 261Marv Mazur |  Leaves Granite Mtn - Tr 261Marv Mazur |  Flowers Granite Mtn - Tr 261Marv Mazur |  Flower buds Granite Mtn - Tr 261Marv Mazur |  Fruit Little Thumb ButteSue Smith | |
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Origin:
Native Similar Species: O. phaeacantha, O. macrocentra
General Desc:
A wide, spreading cactus to 15 feet in diameter. Has circular to oblong pads (stems) up to 10 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Color is
green to blue-green. The pads are connected to each other by brittle joints.
Identification notes: Pads 4 to 10 inches in diameter, plants are several pads tall in height, three visible central spines common per areole, spines and patches of sparse glochids often in areoles all over the pad, consistently golden-yellow, never bi-colored flower petals.
Height:
4 to 6 feet
Width:
10 to 15 feet
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland
Elevation: 1500 - 7500 feet
Color:
Yellow
Flowering Period:
Apr - Jun
Description:
Yellow, orange or red to 3-1/4 inches wide. Blooms appear on edge of flat pads.
Stem Color:
Dull yellowish green or bluish green
Number of Stems:
Need value
Stem Shape:
Need value
Stems Segmented:
U
Stem Surface:
Need value
Stem Description:
Stems are segmented into pads, each pad 6 to 16 inches long and 4 to 16 inches wide, oblong, circular in shape, with short spine.
Pads are firmly attached.
(structures unique to cacti, found on the stems, areas from which spines, flowers and fruits emerge)
Areole Description:
Spine Color:
Ash grey to white
Spines Hooked:
U
Spine Description:
The spines (leaves) grow to 3 inches long, either flattened, curved, or straight. The areas where spines develop have brown or
yellowish barbed bristles.
Fruit Color: Red
Fruit Notes: The red to purplish, pear-shaped fruit to 3 inches long and 1-1/2 inches in diameter grows along the edge of the pads and is very
attractive, edible, nutritious and juicy.
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