Opuntia phaeacantha

Opuntia phaeacantha (Tulip Pricklypear) is a series of Opuntia.

Background
Low, usually prostrate, with some branches ascending; joints usually longer than broad, 10 to 15 cm. long; areoles rather remote, the lower ones often spineless; spines 1 to 4, those on the sides of the joints more or less reflexed, somewhat flattened, usually rather stout, brown, sometimes darker at base, or often nearly white throughout, the longer ones 5 to 6 cm. long; glochids numerous, yellow to brown; flowers 5 cm. broad, yellow; ovary short; fruit 30 to 35 mm. long, much contracted at base. Type locality is about Santa Fe and on the Rio Grande, New Mexico. It is distributed in Texas to Arizona and Chihuahua.

Opuntia phaeacantha has been referred to as common low, bushy Opuntia with small joints, brown spines, and yellow flowers of the Southwest; we formerly regarded it as composed of several species, and others have followed our lead; but we are unable to draw any distinct lines after a study of much additional herbarium and greenhouse material. Dr. Rose has collected a large series of specimens from the Southwest, especially from the type localities, but his specimens seem to bridge over differences which before seemed tangible; cited differences appear to be racial rather than specific.