About
Opuntia macrocentra, the long-spined purplish prickly pear or purple pricklypear, is a cactus found in the lower Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. A member of the prickly pear genus, this species of Opuntia is most notable as one of a few cacti that produce a purple pigmentation in the stem. Opuntia macrocentra is an upright spreading shrub consisting of several joined segments called pads. This cactus produces large colorful yellow and red flowers and dark red edible fruits. In the wild it grows across North America, Arizona, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, New Mexico and other regions. Plant in well-drained soil. Stake young.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Opuntia macrocentra
About the genus
Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae, many known for their flavorful fruit and showy flowers. Between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago, the Opuntia prickly pear cactus was domesticated in central Mexico. Cacti are native to the Americas, and are well adapted to arid climates; however, they are still vulnerable to alterations in precipitation and temperature driven by climate change.
Wikipedia contributors, "Opuntia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Opuntia
Plant details
Opuntia macrocentra size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
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