Opuntia engelmannii var. flexispina

(Griffiths) B. D. Parfitt & Pinkava

Madroño 35: 348. 1988.

Basionym: Opuntia flexispina Griffiths Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 43: 87. 1916
Synonyms: Opuntia strigil var. flexispina (Griffiths) L. D. Benson
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 136. Mentioned on page 135.

Stem segments ovate to subcircular, 20–35 × 15–30 cm, to 1.5 times longer than wide. Spines (0–)1–5 per areole, evenly distributed on stem segments, deflexed sharply (not arching) or recurving laterally, yellow, sometimes with brown basal portions, flexible, the longest 50–80 mm.


Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Rangelands, on hills
Elevation: 100-200 m

Discussion

Of conservation concern.

Opuntia engelmannii var. flexispina is recognized here reluctantly because it is so poorly known; more study is required to assess its status. Its distribution is limited to Webb and Zapata counties, Texas, according to D. Weniger (1970).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.