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Opuntia humifusa

(Raf.) Raf.

Eastern Prickly-pear

G5Secure Found in 7 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.153608
Element CodePDCAC0D0K0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Other Common Names
devil's-tongue (EN) Oponce de l'Est (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
Majure et al. (2017) revised the taxonomy of the Opuntia humifusa complex, recognizing eight different species within.
Conservation Status
Review Date1989-07-13
Change Date1989-07-13
Edition Date1988-02-02
Edition AuthorsLAMBERT, A.
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Widespread throughout the United States.
Range Extent Comments
Montana, Great Lakes, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan, Massachusetts, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Florida.
Occurrences Comments
Over 100 EOs (Benson 1982).
Threat Impact Comments
Most cacti subject to horticultural collecting.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Sandy soil and rock outrcrops (ranging from granitic to sand stone or limestone) of hills, valleys, and shores.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
FloridaS4Yes
Rhode IslandS1Yes
ConnecticutS3Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
DelawareSNRYes
MissouriSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
New MexicoSNRYes
KansasSNRYes
MarylandSNRYes
West VirginiaS4Yes
WisconsinSNRYes
North CarolinaS5Yes
New JerseySNRYes
GeorgiaSNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
MississippiSNRYes
PennsylvaniaS3Yes
KentuckyS1Yes
IowaSNRYes
South DakotaSNRYes
UtahSNRYes
ArkansasSNRYes
TennesseeSNRYes
IndianaSNRYes
MichiganSNRYes
AlabamaSNRYes
OklahomaSNRYes
South CarolinaSNRYes
LouisianaSNRYes
MassachusettsS1Yes
OhioSNRYes
New YorkS4Yes
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (7)
Arkansas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Richland CreekOzark-St. Francis National Forest571
Tennessee (2)
AreaForestAcres
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Virginia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Hoop HoleJefferson National Forest4,652
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Patterson MountainJefferson National Forest4,865
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
References (2)
  1. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  2. Nichols, W.F. and S.A. Young. 2016. <i>Opuntia humifusa</i> (Raf.) Raf.: native or naturalized in New Hampshire? Rhodora 118(973):13-25.