Unknown Opuntia

dbustama · Post by **dbustama** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 6:57 pm

I found this opuntia last summer, and was intrigued with the colour of the blooms. The opuntias bloomed in red and yellow, as shown in the photo. The cactus is small, with pads around 4 inches in diameter, and are highly spined. However, I haven't been able to identify it. Can anyone help? Thank you!

Photo Link: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/usrdevnul ... pg&.src=ph[/img]

A larger image is at:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/usrdevnul ... pg&.src=ph

Post by **daiv** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:39 pm

Where did you find this? It should be a slam dunk to ID if you can tell us where it was growing.

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:39 am

daiv wrote:Where did you find this? It should be a slam dunk to ID if you can tell us where it was growing.

As Daiv stated, knowing where you found it will nail the ID. I'll venture a guess that it's Opuntia polyacantha but don't hold me to my first guess.

dbustama · Post by **dbustama** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:32 pm

This opuntia was found in an area just west of Albuquerque, NM, growing amidst the sagebrush in very sandy soil.

Thanks!