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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra
Opuntia macrocentra Engelm. var. macrocentra
Purple Pricklypear, Purple Prickly Pear
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s): Opuntia violacea, Opuntia violacea var. castetteri, Opuntia violacea var. macrocentra
USDA Symbol: opmam
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The stems of the purple prickly pear are upright, 2-3 feet tall, but without the trunk-like main stem. The pads are 4-8 inches long, usually about l/2 inch thick. Sometimes they are green, but more often they are purplish overall, especially in the winter and in dry, hot summers. The areoles are about 1/2 inch apart on small plants, but up to 1 1/4 inches apart on large ones. The flowers are about 3 inches in diameter, light yellowish with red centers. The anthers are yellow. The fruit is 3/4-1 1/2 inches long, round to oval, becoming bright red or orange when ripe. These cacti present a spectacular sight in April, their peak blooming period, with as many as 65-70 large blossoms on one plant (248).
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AZ , NM , TXGrowing 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.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-01-26Research By: TWC Staff