Plant of the Month
Long-spine prickly pear or
purple prickly pear (Opuntia macrocentra) is found in Texas, New Mexico,
and Arizona. The stems are
upright, 2–3 feet tall, but without the trunk-like main stem. The pads are
4–8 inches long, usually about l/2 inch thick. Sometimes they are green,
but more often they are purplish overall, especially in the winter and in dry,
hot summers. The flowers are about 3 inches in diameter, light yellowish
with red centers. The anthers are yellow. The fruit is 3/4–1 1/2 inches
long, round to oval, becoming bright red or orange when ripe. These cacti
present a spectacular sight in April, their peak blooming period, with as many
as 65–70 large blossoms on one plant (Source, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center).
