Medium-sized pads with long spines (Arrow Canyon) |
General: Grizzlybear Cactus (Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea) is a low-growing cactus with broad, thin stem segments (pads). The pads are medium-sized for a pricklypear (to about 5-inches long by 3-inches wide). The spines are sparse to dense, short to long (to 6 inches, wavy, and flowing). The long, flowing spines sometimes completely obscure the pads.
Grizzlybear Cactus is a locally common (uncommon overall, but they can be abundant in certain areas) component of vegetation communities on well-drained sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils along washes, canyons, and on upper bajadas and moderate slopes into the lower mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) life zone.
Around Las Vegas, this cactus is found at middle elevations in the mountains, making it difficult to find without a hike. A few can be found near Willow Springs at Red Rock Canyon NCA (Petroglyph Wall Trail), and the Visitor Center on Mt. Charleston.
Family: Cactus (Cactaceae).
Other Names: Opuntia erinacea var. ursina. |
Spines long, gray, and wavy (Arrow Canyon Wilderness) |
Plant Form: Upright shrub spreading from the ground.
Height: To about 18-inches tall.
Trunk: None.
Stems: Divided into segments; flat and broad (pancake shaped). To about 5-inches long and 3-inches wide.
Stem Surface: Smooth.
Spines: Spines 4 to 24 per areole, in all areoles; to about 6-inches long (variable).
Glochids: Present. |
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Flowers: Blooms late spring and early summer. Inflorescence: Solitary from upper edge of
pads. Flower: yellow to magenta, about 2-inches diameter; filaments white, style white, stigma green.
Fruit: Spiny.
Seeds:
Habitat: Dry, well-drained sandy, gravelly, and rocky soils on upper bajadas and moderate slopes in the mountains.
Distribution: Southern California to Utah and Arizona
Elevation: 3,000 to 7,000 feet.
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