Xerophyte

Leaves

Conical, about 2-3.5 mm long.

Description

Opuntia sulphureaSN|32053]]SN|32053]] is a low and spreading or erect shrub, forming broad clumps 1 to 2 meters in diameter, 30-40 cm high. The joints are conspicuously tuberculate. The spines are very dense and stiff, whitish at first, but somewhat yellowish, horncolored, brownish to red in age. Several varieties of this species, some of which have been described, are given, such as laevior, major, minor, and pallidior. Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate, Subsp. brachyacantha and Subsp. spinibarbis. All have sulphur yellow flowers (hence the specific name) .

Flowers

About 4 cm. long, yellow.

Glochids

Yellowish red to brown.

Spines

1 to 8, acicular, stiff, thick, generally straight but sometimes curved and twisted, spreading, 3 to 10 cm long, yellowish, brownish, red or grey, but sometimes quite pale (white and pink) at first.

Stem

Joints flattened, oblong to obovate, (8-)12 to 25(-30) cm long, , 3-7 cm wide, thick, strongly tuberculate, glabrous, usually green but sometimes purplish; terminal joints easily detached.

Fruits

with a deep umbilicus, short, about 1 cm. long.

Areoles

Small, white, borne on protuberances.