Opuntia Species, Englemann's Prickly Pear Cactus, Texas Prickly Pear Cactus, Cactus Apple (Opuntia engelmannii)

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rh3708 Westmoreland, TN(Zone 7a) Jan 04, 2005

Opuntia Species, Englemann's Prickly Pear Cactus, Texas Prickly Pear Cactus, Cactus Apple
Opuntia engelmannii

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Post #1220551
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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 11, 2013

Hello rh3708,
What you have pictured here appears to be and is more likely to be Opuntia macrorhiza.
Because...
The pads of lindheimeri are rounder, larger and not so pointed on the top. The areolae are also slightly tubercled (raised) in your photo (just like macrorhiza).
Also, The buds are elongated in your photo which is very indicative of O. macrorhiza.
O. macrorhiza is more prevalent in your area too.

example: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/125868/

Did you have any photo's of the flowers?

Would like to have your photo moved to the right page?


This message was edited Mar 11, 2013 8:51 PM

Post #9446222
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CactusJordi El Cajon, CA Mar 11, 2013

I think this plant is a little elongated/etiolated due to not growing in full sun.
I don't know what species it is, but I am sure it is not Opuntia macrorhiza.
These are my O. macrorhiza from near Prescott, AZ. Probably the most western form.

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Post #9446412
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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 11, 2013

Why and how are you sure that it's not O. macrorhiza?
The buds are an identical match. The areolae are tubercled (etiolated or not).
This O. macrorhiza in the top photo is growing quite far away from the one you posted here. It is entirely possible and very likely that that accounts for the differences between your photo and the top photo (ie, habitat and evolutionary changes). O. marcorhiza is extremely widespread and therefore more forms are inevitable.

This message was edited Mar 11, 2013 8:48 PM

Post #9446480
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CactusJordi El Cajon, CA Mar 11, 2013

I also grew O. macrorhiza from Oklahoma. The only difference to the Prescott, AZ form was the color, its epidermis was pure green and not bluish.
Even Ted Anderson says: the plant grows prostrate (only up to 12" tall, but up to 3ft across) and has spines of ~ 2" developing on the upper part or at least along the tips of the mainly round pads.
While the plant in question is much taller and slender and doesn't seem to have any prominent spines.

Jordi

Post #9446521
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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 13, 2013

As for the spine aspect, there is a spineless form, I was growing one from west Texas a few years back.
And regarding the height, I will agree on that one.

I wish we knew where this plant was indigenous to, that would help with the ID. But rh3708 hasn't chimed in yet with any photos or additional information.

So, if it's not O. linheimeri and it's not O. macrorhiza, and nobody has any additional ideas on what it could be, then it should be removed.

Post #9448655
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