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Opuntia humifusa

(Raf.) Raf.

Eastern Prickly-pear

G5Secure Found in 7 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.153608
Element CodePDCAC0D0K0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Other Common Names
devil's-tongue (EN) Oponce de l'Est (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
Majure et al. (2017) revised the taxonomy of the Opuntia humifusa complex, recognizing eight different species within.
Conservation Status
Review Date1989-07-13
Change Date1989-07-13
Edition Date1988-02-02
Edition AuthorsLAMBERT, A.
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Widespread throughout the United States.
Range Extent Comments
Montana, Great Lakes, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Florida.
Occurrences Comments
Over 100 EOs (Benson 1982).
Threat Impact Comments
Most cacti subject to horticultural collecting.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Sandy soil and rock outrcrops (ranging from granitic to sand stone or limestone) of hills, valleys, and shores.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
IndianaSNRYes
KentuckyS1Yes
KansasSNRYes
MissouriSNRYes
New MexicoSNRYes
IowaS3Yes
TennesseeSNRYes
OklahomaSNRYes
ArkansasSNRYes
OhioSNRYes
West VirginiaS4Yes
South CarolinaSNRYes
VirginiaS5Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
MarylandSNRYes
AlabamaSNRYes
Rhode IslandS1Yes
MichiganSNRYes
LouisianaSNRYes
ConnecticutS3Yes
UtahSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
New JerseySNRYes
PennsylvaniaS3Yes
TexasSNRYes
DelawareSNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
MassachusettsS1Yes
FloridaS4Yes
New YorkS4Yes
South DakotaSNRYes
WisconsinSNRYes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (7)
Arkansas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Richland CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest571
Tennessee (2)
AreaForestAcres
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Virginia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Patterson MountainJefferson National Forest4,865
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
References (2)
  1. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  2. Nichols, W.F. and S.A. Young. 2016. <i>Opuntia humifusa</i> (Raf.) Raf.: native or naturalized in New Hampshire? Rhodora 118(973):13-25.