Scientific name:
Opuntia chlorotica
Common name:
Pancake prickly pear, dollarjoint prickly pear
Range:
Southeast California, southeast Nevada, most of Arizona, southwest New Mexico, extreme southwest Utah
Form:
Large, tall, branched clusters, with a thick central trunk
Habitat:
Rocky slopes, scrubland, mountain foothills
Flowers:
Yellow with red centers, blooming April to May
Distribution map for opuntia chlorotica
Opuntia chlorotica, a widespread prickly pear found in five states, forms great clusters; old specimens reach heights of 8 feet or more and have hundreds of pads branching from a thick central trunk, (usually) covered in golden-yellow spines, between 1 and 2 inches long in clusters of up to 7 per areole, which continue to grow on old segments, so that the lower limbs of these large plants seem especially prickly. Spines become blackish as they age. There are also several short, bristle-like spines.
Spines may be largely or completely absent, however, but the large glochids are always present to greater or lesser extent, also colored gold, arranged in neat diagonal rows, seven to ten groups per row. Pads are grey green or blue green in color, between 5 and 8 inches long, circular or ovate.
Spines may be largely or completely absent, however, but the large glochids are always present to greater or lesser extent, also colored gold, arranged in neat diagonal rows, seven to ten groups per row. Pads are grey green or blue green in color, between 5 and 8 inches long, circular or ovate.
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