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Opuntia polyacantha

Haw.

Panhandle Prickly-pear

G5Secure Found in 322 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154408
Element CodePDCAC0D100
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix II
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Other Common Names
Hair-spine Prickly-pear (EN) Oponce à épines nombreuses (FR) plains pricklypear (EN) Plains Prickly-pear (EN) Starvation Cactus (EN) Starvation Prickly-pear (EN)
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
Distinct taxon.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-05-16
Change Date1988-06-30
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 southwestern United States.
Range Extent Comments
It occurs in the U.S. in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma; in Canada in Alberta and Saskatchewan; and likely in Mexico.
Occurrences Comments
150+ EO's (Benson).
Threat Impact Comments
Most cacti subject to horticultural collecting.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Sandy soils of flats, washes, cayonsides, and hillsides in the desert, woodlands, plains.

Reproduction

Opuntia polyacantha as with other widespread Opuntias is known to reproduce both sexually and asexually, in addition to being self-dispersed and dispersed by animals that eat the dry fruits (Valiente-Banuet and Godinez-Alvarez 2002). This species is generally self-incompatible (Osborn et al. 1988).
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
AlbertaS5Yes
SaskatchewanS4Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
South DakotaSNRYes
North DakotaSNRYes
OklahomaS2Yes
New MexicoSNRYes
Navajo NationS5Yes
KansasS3Yes
MontanaS5Yes
UtahSNRYes
ArizonaSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
WashingtonSNRYes
NevadaS5Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
MissouriSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
OregonSNRYes
NebraskaSNRYes
WyomingS5Yes
ColoradoS5Yes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (322)
Arizona (2)
AreaForestAcres
Burro CanyonKaibab National Forest19,928
Willis CanyonKaibab National Forest9,688
California (37)
AreaForestAcres
Andrews Mtn.Inyo National Forest9,912
Benton RangeInyo National Forest9,637
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black CanyonInyo National Forest32,421
Boundary Peak (CA)Inyo National Forest210,884
Cactus Springs ASan Bernardino National Forest53
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest3,106
Chineese Camp (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,339
Coyote NorthInyo National Forest11,932
Coyote SoutheastInyo National Forest53,159
Deep WellsInyo National Forest7,681
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Excelsior (CA)Inyo National Forest45,607
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
HortonInyo National Forest5,717
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Nevahbe RidgeInyo National Forest302
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
PaiuteInyo National Forest58,712
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
Rock Creek WestInyo National Forest3,626
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Soldier CanyonInyo National Forest40,589
South SierraSequoia National Forest8,008
South SierraInyo National Forest41,853
Sweetwater (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest19,241
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
TinemahaInyo National Forest27,060
WattersonInyo National Forest6,922
West Walker (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest495
Wheeler RidgeInyo National Forest15,744
Whisky CreekInyo National Forest865
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
WoodpeckerSequoia National Forest11,936
Colorado (3)
AreaForestAcres
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Idaho (7)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Montana (24)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Devils TowerHelena National Forest7,144
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
Ellis CanyonHelena National Forest5,578
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
HolterHelena National Forest1,965
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Italian PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest90,401
Line Creek PlateauCuster National Forest24,825
Lost Water CanyonCuster National Forest9,251
Lost Water Canyon RnaCuster National Forest561
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
Middle Fork Judith WsaLewis and Clark National Forest81,131
Middle Mtn. / Tobacco RootsBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest96,487
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
Red Lodge Creek HellroaringCuster National Forest17,210
Snowcrest MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,649
Tash PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest61,312
Tenderfoot - Deep CreekLewis and Clark National Forest85,614
Tongue River BreaksCuster National Forest17,481
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Nevada (107)
AreaForestAcres
Alta T - East AHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest114
Alta T - East BHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest21,732
Alta T - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,325
Angel Peak NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,577
Angel Peak SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,540
Arc Dome - Blank Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,662
Arc Dome - CarversHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,846
Arc Dome - MahoganyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,208
Arc Dome - North JetHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,286
Arc Dome - Secret BsnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest74,782
Arc Dome - South JetHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,716
Aurora CraterHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,689
Bald Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest41,598
Bank SpringsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest18,126
Black SpringHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,016
Boundary Peak (NV)Inyo National Forest21,851
ButlerHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest39,470
Butler Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest25,878
Cave CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,145
Charleston - CarpenterHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest17,828
Charleston - Macks CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,378
Charleston - McfarlandHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,465
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
CooperHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,889
CottonwoodHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest18,161
Currant - East SlopeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest10,101
Duck Creek Mtns.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,165
Excelsior (NV)Inyo National Forest7,744
Excelsior Mtns.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest69,071
Four MileHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest24,093
Fourmile HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,718
Fourth Of July Spr (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,145
Georges CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest108,551
Grant - BrunoHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,828
Grant - Cherry CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest160
Grant - WadsworthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest610
Humboldt - Angel LkHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,008
Humboldt - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,152
Humboldt - WinchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,272
HuntoonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest36,281
Indian CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,996
Iron SpringHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest36,737
Jarbidge - Pete BasinHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,247
La Madre - TroutHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,101
Lobdell SummitHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest7,791
Long ValleyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest50,472
Lovell Summit SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,455
Marble FallsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,000
MarysvilleHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,365
Moriah - Hendrys Ck.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,345
Moriah - Rhodes Cyn. EHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest298
Moriah - Silver CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,582
Moriah - Smith Ck. NHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest103
Moriah - Smith Ck. SHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest45
Mt. ArdiveyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest37,984
Mt. HicksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,698
North BrockHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,863
North SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest30,773
North Shoshone PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest40,667
NorthumberlandHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest22,464
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Pine Grove NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,749
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
PotosiHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,145
QuinnHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest62,459
Red MountainHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest30,242
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rough CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,476
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Ruby - Secret Pk.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,749
Ruby - SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest13,195
Sam's CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,869
SaulsburyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest30,957
Savory MountainHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,570
ShellbackHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest36,455
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Snake - Cedar SpurHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest35
Snake - ChokecherryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest30,845
Snake - HatcheryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,627
Snake - Lincoln CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest314
Snake - Mt. WashingtonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,749
Snake - MurphyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest27,064
Snake - Peacock CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,069
Snake - Pole CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest766
SnowbirdHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest8,859
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
South Shoshone PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest24,528
Spanish PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest31,520
Steven's SpringsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,282
Stirling - JohnnieHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,449
SugarloafInyo National Forest11,534
Sweetwater (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,946
Table Mtn. - EastHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest87,789
The Cove 1Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,847
Toiyabe RangeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest99,225
Toquima CaveHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest43,147
Ward MountainHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,927
Warm SpringsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest29,540
Wellington HillsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest21,009
West SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest21,656
West Silver CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,028
West Walker (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,683
WildcatHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,565
WildhorseHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,204
WileyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,864
WilhoitesHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest11,297
WoodsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest7,467
New Mexico (22)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
Arroyo de los FrijolesSanta Fe National Forest5,277
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Bull CanyonCarson National Forest11,512
CajaSanta Fe National Forest5,304
Candian RiverCibola National Forest7,149
Chama WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest4,168
Chama WildernessSanta Fe National Forest1,295
El InviernoSanta Fe National Forest29,927
El LagunitoSanta Fe National Forest6,799
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
LemitasSanta Fe National Forest8,129
Little TesuqueSanta Fe National Forest815
Madre MountainCibola National Forest19,839
Nichols ReservoirSanta Fe National Forest1,518
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Sierra Negra Rare II Study AreaCarson National Forest9,470
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
North Dakota (11)
AreaForestAcres
Bell LakeDakota Prairie Grasslands11,265
Bullion ButteDakota Prairie Grasslands19,877
Collar / Bennett - CottonwoodDakota Prairie Grasslands19,697
Easy HillDakota Prairie Grasslands7,344
Kinley PlateauDakota Prairie Grasslands16,900
Long X DivideDakota Prairie Grasslands10,099
MagpieDakota Prairie Grasslands21,281
Ponderosa PineDakota Prairie Grasslands7,471
Tracy MountainDakota Prairie Grasslands9,756
Twin ButtesDakota Prairie Grasslands13,492
WannaganDakota Prairie Grasslands6,026
Oregon (6)
AreaForestAcres
BuckhornWallowa-Whitman National Forest17,180
Cook RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,617
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
Lord Flat Somers PointWallowa-Whitman National Forest67,738
Mountain SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,457
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
South Dakota (3)
AreaForestAcres
Cheyenne RiverBuffalo Gap National Grassland7,572
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Red ShirtBuffalo Gap National Grassland17,007
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (70)
AreaForestAcres
0401001Ashley National Forest11,705
0401002Ashley National Forest36,113
0401010Ashley National Forest21,886
0401011Ashley National Forest30,062
0401012Ashley National Forest46,400
0401023Ashley National Forest8,352
0401024Ashley National Forest12,882
0401025Ashley National Forest1,471
0401030Ashley National Forest531
0401031Ashley National Forest7,110
0401032Ashley National Forest6,471
0401037Ashley National Forest1,166
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418001Uinta National Forest5,697
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418022Uinta National Forest17,289
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418031Uinta National Forest18,173
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
Box - Death HollowDixie National Forest3,175
Bull ValleyDixie National Forest10,911
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Capital ReefDixie National Forest763
Casto BluffDixie National Forest87,466
Cedar BenchDixie National Forest8,915
Cedar KnollManti-Lasal National Forest22,502
City CreekFishlake National Forest13,939
Clarkston Mtn.Caribou National Forest7,099
Clear CreekSawtooth National Forest7,188
CottonwoodDixie National Forest6,754
Cove CreekFishlake National Forest25,555
Cove MountainDixie National Forest16,632
Dairy ForkManti-Lasal National Forest30,222
Dog ValleyFishlake National Forest11,810
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
Gum HillDixie National Forest3,180
Happy ValleyDixie National Forest14,458
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Hog RanchDixie National Forest17,130
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
Joe LottFishlake National Forest19,826
Kane MountainDixie National Forest8,013
Lewis PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest11,616
Little CreekFishlake National Forest11,479
Long Neck Mesa / Steep Creek / Oak Creek - Steep Creek / OakDixie National Forest55,489
Lookout PeakFishlake National Forest9,195
Marysvale PeakFishlake National Forest22,624
Middle FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,296
Mt. AireWasatch-Cache National Forest9,681
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Mt. Johns Peak - Mt AliceFishlake National Forest12,469
Muddy Creek - Nelson Mt.Manti-Lasal National Forest59,034
New Home BenchDixie National Forest10,513
NoblettsWasatch-Cache National Forest3,116
North FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest8,148
North PavantFishlake National Forest53,262
Oak CreekFishlake National Forest54,053
PavantFishlake National Forest42,560
Pine Valley MountainsDixie National Forest57,673
Raft RiverSawtooth National Forest23,969
SanpitchManti-Lasal National Forest29,129
Signal PeakFishlake National Forest30,889
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Table Cliffs - Henderson CanyonDixie National Forest19,581
Thousand Lake MountainFishlake National Forest27,267
Wayne WonderlandFishlake National Forest12,395
Wyoming (29)
AreaForestAcres
0401019Ashley National Forest6,202
0401021Ashley National Forest5,152
0401035Ashley National Forest5,465
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
Bruce MountainBighorn National Forest5,417
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Laramie PeakMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest28,608
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
Piney CreekBighorn National Forest22,240
Platte River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,962
Rock CreekBighorn National Forest48,657
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Sheep MountainMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest17,626
Snowy RangeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest29,660
South Beartooth HighwayShoshone National Forest105,570
South ForkShoshone National Forest64,903
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Sulphur CreekShoshone National Forest30,221
Trout CreekShoshone National Forest44,034
Walker PrairieBighorn National Forest62,434
Wapiti Valley NorthShoshone National Forest18,345
Wapiti Valley SouthShoshone National Forest43,517
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
References (4)
  1. Johnson, K. A. 2000. <i>Opuntia polyacantha</i>. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2011, April 18].
  2. 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.
  3. Osborn, M.M., P.G. Kevan, and M.A. Lane. 1988. Pollination biology of <i>Opuntia polyacantha</i> and <i>Opuntia phaeacantha</i> (Cactaceae) in southern Colorado. Plant Systematics and Evolution 159: 85-94.
  4. Valiente-Banuet, A., and H. Godinez-Alvarez. 2002. Population and Community Ecology. Pages 91-108. in: P. Nobel, editor. Cacti: Biology and Uses. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.