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Flower

Cactaceae

Plains prickly pear is a diminutive, nearly prostrate Opuntia residing on loam or rocky, sandy places at an elevation of 2000 to 9000 feet, ranging from the Texas panhandle and west of the Pecos River to Arizona and New Mexico. It is easily distinguished from other varieties of O. macrorhiza by its red flowers (as opposed to yellow), 5- to 6-cm.-long joints which are noticeably glaucous (bluish), and very slender spines. This variety is thought by some experts to deserve specific (species) status.

Plant Habit or Use: small shrub

Exposure: sun

Flower Color: red

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: reddish purple, fleshy

Height: to 1 foot

Width: to 1 foot

Plant Character: evergreen

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: neutral
alkaline

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6

Additional Comments: