Systematics of the Opuntia phaeacantha Group in Texas

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Abstract
A species group of fleshy-fruited prickly-pears in Texas is reevaluated and treated as 4 p. instead of 2 as in previous treatments. The species are O. lindheimeri, O. phaeacantha var. major, O. discata sp. and O. edwardsii sp. nov., which occur sympatrically in all possible combinations. New information is presented concerning their distribution ranges. Range extensions are described for O. discata s.s. and O. edwardsii; O. phaeacantha major is more restricted in distribution in central Texas than previously thought. Published chromosome counts are summarized and many new counts reported for the 4 spp. Most populations of these species are tetraploid or hexaploid (2n = 44 or 66). Diploids (2n = 22) are found in 2 localities in the predominantly polyploid O. lindheimeri.

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