Opuntia macrocentra
Opuntia macrocentra
Opuntia macrocentra is a flowering plant in the genus Opuntia ( Opuntia ) from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet macrocentra means with large central spines '. English common names are "Black- Spined Prickly Pear ", " Blunt - Spined Prickly Pear ", " Long - Spined Prickly Pear ", " Purple Prickly Pear " and " Reddish Purple Prickly Pear ".
Description
Opuntia macrocentra grows bushy and reaches stature heights of 60 to 90 centimeters. The elongated sometimes broader drive sections are often bluish or purple, sometimes spineless but usually they carry spines on the upper areoles which have not falling glochids. The one to two, rarely three black -brown to white, upright spikes are 4 to 7 inches long. The individual members are up to 14 inches high, 10 inches wide and about 1 inch thick. The yellow flowers are tinged with reddish, and are up to 7.5 inches in diameter in size. The fleshy fruits are up to 6 inches long and are purple. The seeds are 4 to 4.5 millimeters wide.
Systematics and distribution
Opuntia macrocentra is common in the U.S. states of Arizona and Texas and the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
The first description was published in 1856 by George Engelmann. There are two varieties:
- Opuntia macrocentra var macrocentra
- Opuntia macrocentra var minor M.S.Anthony
There are following Synonyms: Opuntia violacea Engelm, Opuntia macrocentra var Martiniana LDBenson and Opuntia violacea var macrocentra ( Engelm. ) LDBenson. .