Scientific name:
Grusonia aggeria, opuntia aggeria
Common name:
Big Bend prickly pear
Range:
The Big Bend region of west Texas
Form:
Low clumps of short, cylindrical or club-shaped stems
Habitat:
Hillsides, creosote scrubland, limestone terraces; up to 5,000 feet elevation
Flowers:
Bright yellow, appearing between March and May
Distribution map for grusonia aggeria
Like the similar grusonia grahamii, which inhabits the same region of far west Texas (in addition to other areas), grusonia aggeria can be distinguished from most other members of this small genus by having spines that are cylindrical, tapering evenly to a sharp point, rather than being partially flattened. Spines are colored brown, black or grey, and usually number between 5 and 15 per areole, growing mostly towards the top of the stem. Spine lengths range from 1 to 2 inches. Stems are evenly cylindrical or thicker towards the tip (clavate), and about 4 inches long. Bright yellow flowers are followed by pale yellow fruits, which become grey as they age.
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