Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Opuntia pottsii Salm-Dyck
(Pott's Prickly Pear)

Family: Cactaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Opuntia cymochila Engelmann var. montana Engelmann & Bigelow
Opuntia filipendula Engelmann
Opuntia macrorhiza Engelmann var. pottsii (Salm-Dyck) L. Benson
Opuntia pottsii Salm-Dyck var. montana (Engelmann & Bigelow) Bulot
Opuntia tenuispina Engelmann

Opuntia pottsii is a low prostate prickly pear with joints appearing wrinkled, particularly in the winter. It is found at middle elevations in Ponderosa Pine forest habitat as well as in rangeland. Notice that the fruits appear "stretched" compared to other opuntias-- they are elongate. The seeds have a smooth girdle and are tan or beige in color.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Opuntia pottsii, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon, Sept. 10, 2007



Opuntia pottsii, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, & Scott Zager, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon north side of Jack's Peak on CD Trail, Nov. 9, 2008



Opuntia pottsii, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, San Francisco Mtns., along 180N near Reserve, Dec. 22, 2008



Opuntia pottsii, fruit, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, San Francisco Mtns., along 180N near Reserve, Dec. 22, 2008



Opuntia pottsii, 1x macro of seeds, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, San Francisco Mtns., along 180N near Reserve, Dec. 22, 2008



Opuntia pottsii, 1.5x macro of seeds, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, San Francisco Mtns., along 180N near Reserve, Dec. 22, 2008


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