Opuntia rufida is a species of prickly pear cactus native to southwestern Texas and northern Mexico, where it grows on rocky slopes. The species makes up for its total lack of spines with a profusion of red-brown glochids. The common name blind prickly pear or cow blinder comes from the fact that the glochids may be carried away by the wind and blind animals.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Blind Pricklypear being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Opuntia comonduensis
- Opuntia strigil
- Opuntia microdasys
- Opuntia santa-rita
- Opuntia gosseliniana
- Opuntia chlorotica
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Caryophyllales
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Opuntia
- Species
- Opuntia rufida
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo