Accepted Symbol
OPPO
Symbol
OPPO
Scientific Name
Opuntia Polyacantha
Common Name
Plains Pricklypear
Category
Dicot
Genus
Opuntia
Family
Cactaceae
Family Symbol
CACTAC
Family Common Name
Cactus Family
Ecology and Taxonomy Data
Orders
Liliales
Subclass
Liliidae
Class
Liliopsida
Division
Magnoliophyta
Superdivision
Spermatophyta
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta
Kingdom
Plantae
Itis Tsn
42750
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Morphology/Physiology
Active Growth Period
Spring, Summer, Fall
Bloat
None
C N Ratio
High
Coppice Potential
Yes
Fall Conspicuous
No
Fire Resistance
No
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Conspicuous
Yes
Foliage Color
Green
Foliage Porosity Summer
Porous
Foliage Porosity Winter
Porous
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Fruit Color
Red
Fruit Conspicuous
Yes
Growth Form
Stoloniferous
Growth Rate
Rapid
Height At Base Age
2
Maximum Feet
2.0
Height
No
Mature Feet
Yes
Known Allelopath
Moderate
Leaf Retention
No
Lifespan
None
Low Growing Grass
No
Nitrogen Fixation
Decumbent
Resprout Ability
None
Growth Data
Adapted To Coarse Textured Soils
Yes
Adapted To Medium Textured Soils
Yes
Adapted To Fine Textured Soils
Yes
Anaerobic Tolerance
None
Caco3 Tolerance
High
Cold Stratification Required
No
Drought Tolerance
High
Fertility Requirement
Low
Fire Tolerance
None
Frost Free Days
200
Hedge Tolerance
None
Moisture Use
Low
Ph Minimum
7.0
Ph Maximum
8.8
Planting Density Per Acre
170
Maximum
300
Precipitation Minimum
10
Precipitation Maximum
20
Root Depth
12
Minimum Inches
None
Salinity Tolerance
Intolerant
Shade Tolerance
-28
Reproduction Data
Bloom Period
Late Spring
Commercial Availability
Contracting Only
Fruit Seed Abundance
High
Fruit Seed Period Begin
Summer
Fruit Seed Period End
Fall
Fruit Seed Persistence
No
Propogated By Bare Root
Yes
Propogated By Bulbs
No
Propogated By Container
Yes
Propogated By Corms
No
Propogated By Cuttings
Yes
Propogated By Seed
Yes
Propogated By Sod
No
Propogated By Sprigs
No
Propogated By Tubers
No
Seeds Per Pound
145000
Seed Spread Rate
Rapid
Seedling Vigor
Medium
Small Grain
No
Vegetative Spread Rate
Moderate
Sustainibility Data
Berry Nut Seed Product
Yes
Christmas Tree Product
No
Fodder Product
Yes
Lumber Product
No
Naval Store Product
No
Nursery Stock Product
No
Palatable Browse Animal
Low
Palatable Graze Animal
Low
Palatable Human
Yes
Post Product
No
Protein Potential
Medium
Pulpwood Product
No
Veneer Product
No
