Photos of Opuntia cespitosa Raf., Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf., Common Eastern Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia cespitosa Raf., Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf., Common Eastern Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear Cactus, is a widespread species in eastern North America. Until recently, it was included in the Opuntia humifusa complex, and was intitially recognized as a distinct species by C.S. Rafinesque in an obscure 1830 publication. Opuntia cespitosa has yellow flowers with reddish centers (Rafinesque, Bulletin Botanique 2: 216, 1830). The eastern North American prickly pear complex has a notoriously confounded taxonomy; frustrating to identify even among specialists. Hybridization and polyplody further complicate this taxonomic moving target. The pads and fruits with spines removed are edible. Preparations reportedly antioxidant, antiinflammatory; reduces blood sugar and cholesterol.

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