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Opuntia chlorotica
Opuntia chlorotica Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow
Clock-face Prickly-pear, Dollarjoint Pricklypear, Pancake Pear, Silver-dollar Cactus
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: OPCH
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Clock-face prickly-pear or pancake pear is an erect, tree-like cactus, 3-8 ft. tall and almost as broad, with a stout trunk and ascending branches. Joints are yellow-green and flat. The flowers are yellow and followed by fleshy, purple-tinged fruit.
The pads of this prickly pear are almost perfectly round, giving rise to its common name. It is usually found growing on very steep hillsides in mountainous terrain and is widespread throughout much of the Southwest. The Pancake Prickly-pear is an erect shrub or small tree, and its areoles contain numerous yellow glochids and several golden spines. This prickly pear makes a very attractive ornamental. It blooms in May.
From the Image Gallery
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: Up to 3ft or more tall. The joints are 4 3/4-8in long and 4 3/4-6 1/3in broad.
Flower: Flowers 2 inches long
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft. , 3-6 ft.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , UTNative Distribution: S.w. UT to s. CA, s. to NM & Baja CA & Sonora, Mexico
Native Habitat: Mesas; dry, rocky desert walls
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 45F
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Not AvailableSeed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Bibliography
Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles GlassSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Opuntia chlorotica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Opuntia chlorotica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Opuntia chlorotica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff