Native Plants
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Grusonia grahamii
Grusonia grahamii (Engelm.) H. Rob.
Graham's Pricklypear, Graham Dog Cactus, Graham's Club Cholla
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s): Opuntia grahamii, Opuntia schottii var. grahamii
USDA Symbol: GRGR6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The Graham Dog Cactus often forms low mounds with many branches. The last joint on the branches is erect and widest near the top, about 2 inches long or less. It has rough, wartlike structures on the joints, giving the plant a rough, dull appearance, an unlikely place to find the attractive yellow flowers it produces. The flowers open in the early afternoon. The joints of this plant, like those of other chollas, break off easily and hang on to anything that barely touches them.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruits are yellow and spineless.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , YellowBloom Time: May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Yellow with pink edges.
Distribution
USA: NM , TXNative Distribution: South New Mexico, far west Texas.
Native Habitat: Gravel flats, dry washes, sandy plains.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 15 - The American Southwest (1994) John Crossley
Additional resources
USDA: Find Grusonia grahamii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Grusonia grahamii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Grusonia grahamii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-13Research By: TWC Staff