Native Plants
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Opuntia engelmannii
Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelm.
Cactus Apple, Prickly Pear
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: open3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
The species of this plant is named for George Engelmann (1809-1884) who was born in Germany and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, as a young man. He was a physician and botanist, describing especially North American Abies (Firs), Agaves, Cactus (for which he described more than 108 species), Cuscuta (Dodder), Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Juncus (Rushes), Juniperus (“Cedar”), Pinus (Pines), Vitis (Grapes), and Yuccas. When he died much of his collection went to Missouri Botanical Garden.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up tp 4 feet 9 inches high; joints are broadly oval, 8-12 inches long.
Flower: Flowers up to about 2 inches diameter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Diurnal.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , LA , MO , MS , NM , NV , OK , TX , UTNative Distribution: Widespread in Mexico and southern US states.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50F
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Edible plants native to Austin, TX
August 05, 2009
Hello,
I am a chef from Buenos Aires Argentina visiting Austin, Texas and would like to learn about native, edible plants in the region.
Please let me know if there are any native, edible plants...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-200 Collected 2007-11-21 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Opuntia engelmannii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Opuntia engelmannii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Opuntia engelmannii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2018-05-06Research By: TWC Staff