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Opuntia macrocentra Engelm.

Long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassCaryophyllidaeCacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
OrderCaryophyllalesIncludes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
FamilyCactaceaeSucculent (water-storing) plants, often spiny
GenusOpuntiaPrickly pears
SpeciesmacrocentraFrom ancient Greek μακρός (makrós, “long”); and centra, “spine”

About plant names...

The long-spined prickly pear is native to Texas, New Mexico, eastern Arizona, and northern Mexico.

Identification: Stem segments are bluish green, and pads on more mature plants are tinged with purple. Sometimes has no spines, or groups of up to 15. Spines are up to 7" (17 cm) long! Longer spines are reddish brown to black (or rarely, yellow to red), turning whitish with age. Flowers are yellow with red centers. See this Opuntia comparison table.

Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

By Jodelet/Lépinay.

Online References:

Desert-tropicals.com

CactiGuide.com

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Sonoran Desert Digital Library

Opuntiads of the USA

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

EFloras

References:

Bowers, Nora and Rick; Tekiela, Stan, Cactus of Arizona Field Guide, Adventure Publications Inc., 2008, p. 135.

 

Opuntia macrocentra description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

5/11/2014 · American Southwest (AZ or TX) · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

5/22/2009 · Slide Rock State Park, Sedona, Ari­zona
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm) ID is uncertain

Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

5/24/2009 · Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Ari­zona
≈ 3½ × 2½' (1 × 0.7 m)

Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

1/15/1996 · Living Desert, near Carlsbad Cav, New Mex­ico · By Constance B. Kent ID is uncertain

Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Ari­zona
≈ 24 × 21" (61 × 54 cm)

Opuntia macrocentra (long-spined prickly pear, black spine prickly pear, purple pricklypear)

5/21/2009 · Grand Canyon South Rim, Ari­zona
≈ 31 × 22" (77 × 56 cm) ID is uncertain

Range:

About this map...