Xerophyte

Seeds

Large, rounded, smooth, cream colored, 0.5 to 1cm in diameter.

Description

This is a smaller prickly pear, branching upwards to 30cm (60 cm) high in clumps up to 90cm (1.2 m) in diameter.

Note

Plant from different places of origin are somewhat variable in coloration, growth habit, pubescence, and flower color.

Flowers

5cm in diameter and 6cm long; open from spring to early summer. They are intensely rose purple with deep magenta-red filaments and white or pink style, stigma is white. (yellow blooming plant are also know).

Glochids

While lacking spines the plant is well protected with copious and effective glochids that fill each areole and easily penetrate the skin.

Spines

Usually spineless, if a few spines are present they are confined to the upper rim of the pad.

Stem

Oval to roundish blue-gray-green, with a blush of purple pigmentation (due to the presence of betacyanins pigments) that vary in function of temperature, glabrous or slightly covered with a velvety pubescence, smooth to wrinkled in dry conditions. New pads stretching from the lower areas of the plant.

Fruits

Spineless, globular to obovate 4cm long. Tan grey and dry at maturity, areoles 24–76 usually puberulent.

Areoles

Numerous with white or brown wool (3 mm of diameter), filled with brownish-reddish clustered bristles 3mm long (glochids).