Black-spined Pricklypear
ExplorePlants
Black-spined Pricklypear
Opuntia macrocentra
The Black-spined Pricklypear is a fun cactus with bright yellow flowers and sharp spines. It grows in the desert and can survive in very hot places. This cactus is great for animals looking for food and shelter!
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Black-spined Pricklypear is a striking cactus with flat, rounded pads that can range from green to a deep purplish hue. It has very long, dark, often black spines that stand out, unlike the lighter spines of other pricklypears. Its bright yellow flowers often feature a reddish center.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCactaceaeGenusOpuntia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its pads change color to deep purple in cold weather, like a plant chameleon!
Some desert animals, like javelina, can eat the spiny pads and fruit without getting hurt!
The fruit, called 'tuna', tastes like watermelon and pear and is full of vitamin C!
This cactus can sprout new plants just from a piece of its pad that falls on the ground.
Special abilities
Ability
Water-Wise Pads
Black-spined Pricklypear has thick, fleshy pads that can store large amounts of water, helping it survive long droughts.
Ability
Spiny Shield
Black-spined Pricklypear has sharp, dark spines and tiny, barbed glochids that powerfully defend it from hungry animals.
Ability
Color Changer
Black-spined Pricklypear can turn its pads a vibrant purple in cold weather, protecting its cells from damage.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 100-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 5-8 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
eats
Collared Peccary
Pecari tajacu
Consumes its fruit and pads, even with spines.
shelters
Mourning Dove
Zenaida macroura
Often nests within its thorny clumps for protection.
pollinates
Sonoran Bumble Bee
Bombus sonorus
Visits its bright yellow flowers for nectar.
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Succulent
Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful around cacti! Their spines can hurt if you touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Black-spined Pricklypear?
50-150 cm
How wide does Black-spined Pricklypear spread?
100-200 cm
How big are the flowers on Black-spined Pricklypear?
5-8 cm
When does Black-spined Pricklypear bloom?
Spring to early Summer
Is Black-spined Pricklypear edible?
Yes
Is Black-spined Pricklypear toxic?
Mild
What is Black-spined Pricklypear's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Black-spined Pricklypear pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
