General: Charleston Mountain Pricklypear (Opuntia charlestonensis) is a sprawling, small pad type of pricklypear. The areoles are widely separated, and the spines are white or white with brown at the base. The flowers are yellow, and the fruit is spineless, purple, and have a green pulp.

Charleston Mountain Pricklypear is rare species only occurs in forests at higher elevations in the Spring Mountains.

Family: Cactus (Cactaceae).

Other Names: Tulip Pricklypear (Opuntia phaeacantha)

Plant Form: Low-growing, clumped shrub with pancake-like stem segments.

Height: To about 16 inches.

Trunk: None.

Stems: Divided into segments (pads); each pad broad and thin (pancake shaped).

Stem Surface: Pads generally smooth, adorned with glochids at each ariole.

Spines: Central: none. Radial: none. Glochids: Present.

Flowers: Blooms during summer. Inflorescence: solitary flowers. Flowers: petals numerous, large, yellow with a brushing of pink in the center, turning to apricot as the flower ages.

Fruit: To about 1-1/2 inches long, green; becoming dry and red.

Seeds: Dark brown, round, many.

Habitat: High mountain forests in the Pine-Fir Forest (Canadian Life Zone).

Distribution: Spring Mountains.

Elevation: About 8,000 feet.

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