Marblefruit Pricklypear (Opuntia strigil)
Description
Found only in the trans-Pecos region of far west Texas, in the Chihuahuan Desert, opuntia strigil has a distinctive appearance, with thick, green, nearly circular pads and a regular array of downwards-pointing, reddish-yellow spines (usually 5 to 8 per areole); shorter radials and 1 or 2 longer centrals, up to 1.5 inches. The yellow glochids are also prominent, especially along the pad edges. The plant forms sturdy, compact clusters, growing as much upwards as sideways, about 3 feet across. Small, spherical, purple fruits follow the yellow flowers, which bloom in spring and early summer.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Cactaceae
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Genus: Opuntia
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