# 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! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Desert ![Black-spined Pricklypear](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Opuntia_macrocentra_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peter A. Mansfeld, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opuntia_macrocentra_2.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Cactaceae - **Genus:** Opuntia ## 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 - **Water-Wise Pads:** Black-spined Pricklypear has thick, fleshy pads that can store large amounts of water, helping it survive long droughts. - **Spiny Shield:** Black-spined Pricklypear has sharp, dark spines and tiny, barbed glochids that powerfully defend it from hungry animals. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collared-peccary) (*Pecari tajacu*) — Consumes its fruit and pads, even with spines. - **Shelter:** [Mourning Dove](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mourning-dove) (*Zenaida macroura*) — Often nests within its thorny clumps for protection. - **Pollinates:** [Sonoran Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sonoran-bumble-bee) (*Bombus sonorus*) — Visits its bright yellow flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful around cacti! Their spines can hurt if you touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-spined Pricklypear? Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Black-spined Pricklypear: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-spined-pricklypear)