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| Scientific Name | Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii (Opuntia phaeacantha var. discata) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | OPENE |
| Common Name | Engelmann's Prickly Pear, Cactus Apple | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 913651 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert habitat; dry, sandy, rocky soils from 1000 to 6000 ft., primarily in southwest Texas west of the Pecos River. Plant: Upright, spreading branches 3 to 5 feet high (higher in ideal growing conditions). Pads & Spines: Pads obovate, broadly elliptic or orbicular, 8 to 12 inches long, 6 to 10 inches across; variable spines, white or gray covering entire surface, 1 to 2 inches long, usually 1 to 4 per areole (or 0 to 5). Inflorescence: Yellow flowers without red center, becoming pale orange late in the day; occasionally orange veins on inner tepals; about 3 inches across; cream-colored to pale green filaments, yellow anthers; cream-colored style with green stigma lobes. Bloom Period: April to July. Fruit: Barrel- or oval-shaped, purple to dark reddish-purple, 2-1/4 to 3-1/4 inches long, 1-1/4 to 2 inches diameter. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell. |
BONAP Distribution Map |
Texas Status: Native |
