Opuntia humifusa has to be one of the most unusual plants in Indiana, and it is surprisingly widespread in the state. The actual leaves are very small and pointed, falling off early and leaving little bunches of needles. The "pads" are the stems, and the "pears" are the floral ovaries. I admire any plant that can thrive and flourish in deep, dry sand, especially in a prolonged drought. Photographed in Porter and Lake Counties in Indiana.
Goodness. According to FNA, O. humifusa is supposed to have the inner tepals entirely yellow. Is there anybody out there who has been able to make sense of the FNA Opuntia treatment?
ReplyDeleteSteve Rolfsmeier
Good question. It seems this would key to O. macrorhiza in FNA.
ReplyDeleteawesome..I see these on my hikes in the dunes often...they are blooming now.
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