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Smith, R.W.
Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea
Opuntia polyacantha Haw. var. erinacea (Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow ex Engelm.) Parfitt
Grizzlybear Pricklypear, Oldman Cactus, Grizzly Prickly Pear, Hedgehog Prickly Pear, Mohave Prickly Pear, Grizzly Bear Pricklypear
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s): Opuntia erinacea, Opuntia erinacea var. erinacea, Opuntia ursina
USDA Symbol: OPPOE
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This cactus forms small, low clumps with erect branches. The pads are thickly covered with long, gray, downward-pointing spines. Flower color varies from rose to yellow depending on variety and the fruit is dry and spiny.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Pink , YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , NM , NV , UT , WA , WYNative Distribution: S.w. WY to AZ & e. CA
Native Habitat: Desert canyons; dry slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry soils.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFrom 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
Additional resources
USDA: Find Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2021-10-04Research By: TWC Staff