Opuntia curvispina
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Opuntia curvispina is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by distinctive trunk and spine coloration.
Curvespine prickly pear is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in grasslands, juniper-grassland, open interior chaparral, and Joshua-tree woodlands of the Mojave Desert region at elevations of 900 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this distinctive cactus produces clear yellow flowers with a base tinged in dull red or pink, creating a vibrant contrast against its green-gray segments. Growing 0.4 to 1.2 meters tall, it forms a distinctive shrub with spreading branches emerging from a cylindrical trunk, characterized by segments that are round to elliptic and covered in striking reddish spines that are often twisted and reflexed. Its paddle-like segments are grayish to yellow-green and glaucous, with 4 to 6 spines per areole that can reach 4 to 7 centimeters long and display bright red to reddish-yellow coloration. The fruit is a juicy, pale to dark red or reddish-pink globe 3 to 5 centimeters long, with green interior and numerous areoles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive trunk and spine coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, juniper-grassland, open interior chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland
Elevation: 900-1500 m
Outside California: southern Nevada, northern Arizona
Bloom period
Opuntia curvispina blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Cylindropuntia: Opuntia has flat paddle segments; Cylindropuntia has cylindrical stems with papery spine sheaths.; vs Echinocereus: Opuntia has flat pads; Echinocereus has cylindrical stems that branch into clusters.; vs Euphorbia: Opuntia has true spines from areoles on fleshy pads; Euphorbia has milky sap and no areoles.; vs Austrocylindropuntia: Opuntia has broad flat pads; Austrocylindropuntia has pencil-thin cylindrical stems.; vs Cephalocereus: Opuntia has flat jointed pads; Cephalocereus has tall unbranched columns with woolly hair.
Frequently asked questions
Is Opuntia curvispina native to California?
Yes. Opuntia curvispina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia curvispina bloom?
Opuntia curvispina blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Opuntia curvispina belong to?
Opuntia curvispina is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
Is Opuntia curvispina rare or endangered?
Opuntia curvispina carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Opuntia curvispina grow in?
Opuntia curvispina grows in Grassland, juniper-grassland, open interior chaparral, Joshua-tree woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.