CACTACEAE

Opuntia cespitosa Rafinesque. Common Eastern Prickly-pear. Phen: May-Jun; Aug-Dec (-Feb). Hab: Limestone and chalk outcrops, dolomite outcrops, glades, sandy or blackland prairies, upland hardwood or mixed hardwood-pine forests in dry, clay soils. Dist: This is the most common species (a tetraploid, 2n = 44) in the eastern United States; it has traditionally been considered conspecific with O. humifusa.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Syn: = K4, NY, Majure et al (2017); < Opuntia compressa – RAB; > Opuntia compressa – WV; < Opuntia compressa var. compressa – G; < Opuntia humifusa – C, F, GrPl, Il, K3, Mi, Pa, Tn, W, WH3; > Opuntia humifusa – Ward (2009e); < Opuntia humifusa var. humifusa – FNA4, K1, Va, Benson (1982), Doyle (1990); > Opuntia opuntia – S

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