Purple Pricklypear
The purple pricklypear is a colorful cactus that produces edible fruits enjoyed by desert wildlife and people alike.
Common Name:
Purple Pricklypear
Scientific Name:
Opuntia macrocentra
Type:
Plant
Diet:
Autotrophic
General Description
The purple pricklypear has large, flat, green pads with pronounced purple edges. It reaches up to 60 cm in both height and width, with individual pad segments up to 30 cm long. In spring, it blossoms with yellow flowers, each 6-8 cm across, which mature into reddish-purple fruits by summer.
Habitat
The purple pricklypear lives in the desert regions and rocky plains of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows on well-drained sandy and gravelly soils, where it offers shelter and sustenance to a variety of wildlife.
Life Expectancy
Resilient and tough, the purple pricklypear can live well over 20 years in its natural habitat. Its ability to store water and adapt to sparse environments allows it to survive and thrive in harsh desert climates.
Did You Know?
The purple pricklypear can blush! In cold weather, this cactus intensifies the purple coloration on its pads to attract pollinators and protect itself from solar radiation.
Other Species
Have Any Questions?
While public visitation isn't possible, we welcome inquiries from researchers, conservationists, and those passionate about conservation.
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