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This page has the Opuntia genus of the Cactaceae Family.
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Click for more Opuntia.

 

 Opuntia polyacantha (Prickly Pear Cactus) 
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Openings. Spring, summer.
Near Hovenweep National Monument, June 9, 2007.

Pads on this variety of Opuntia polyacantha are elongated and have spines up to three inches long.
Opuntia polyacantha (Prickly Pear Cactus) 
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Semi-desert, foothills. Openings. Spring, summer.
Near Corona Arch, Utah, June 7, 2007.

New pads to the right are circular but their spines are already showing signs of growing to the length of older pads which have spines over four inches long.