Opuntia mesacantha

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Opuntia mesacantha
Opuntia mesacantha subsp. lata
Opuntia mesacantha subsp. mesacantha
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. mesacantha
Binomial name
Opuntia mesacantha
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Opuntia eburnispina Small ex Britton & Rose
    • Opuntia humifusa subsp. mesacantha (Raf.) Guiggi
    • Opuntia impedita Small ex Britton & Rose
    • Opuntia lata Small
    • Opuntia macrarthra Gibbes
    • Opuntia mesacantha var. oplocarpa J.M.Coult.
    • Opuntia mesacantha var. parva J.M.Coult.
    • Opuntia pollardii Britton & Rose
    • Opuntia rafinesquei f. oplocarpa (J.M.Coult.) Schelle
    • Opuntia youngii C.Z.Nelson

Opuntia mesacantha, the longspine eastern prickly-pear or southeastern prickly-pear cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae.[2][3] It is native to New Jersey and the southeastern United States, and it has been introduced to Spain.[1] It is typically found in a variety of sandy habitats, and on granite outcrops.[2] Its fruit are edible.[3]

Subtaxa

The following subspecies are accepted:[1]

  • Opuntia mesacantha subsp. lata (Small) Majure – subtropical
  • Opuntia mesacantha subsp. mesacantha – temperate

References

  1. "Opuntia mesacantha Raf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  2. Joseph A. Marcus (2026). "Opuntia mesacantha Raf. Longspine Eastern Prickly-pear". Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 29 June 2026.
  3. "Opuntia mesacantha". North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. N.C. Cooperative Extension. 2026. Retrieved 29 June 2026. Previously known as: Opuntia humifusa subsp. mesacantha