Opuntia phaeacantha is confusing complex with many regionally named varieties. They range throughout the the Desert South West. Found growing on sandy to rocky soils from the desert lowlands to the subalpine slopes of the mountains 1,500'-8,000'. They tend to sprawl out as wide low shrubs with long chains of large oval shaped pads in various shades from green through gray/green. The spines vary in length and number. The spines tend to be ridged, with a majority of clones showing amber to near black hues near the base. The flowers are usually large when compared to the O. Polyacantha complex. Their blossoms are displayed from yellow through coral/red. Many of the yellow flowered clones are red at the base of the petals. Fruits are juicy and turn deep maroon through purple when ripe. In general Phaeacantha are hardy to about 0 F.
O. phaeacantha is allied with the complex of plants under the Opuntia engelmannii umbrella. The biggest difference is in growth habit, with the O. engelmannii group tending toward more upright growth as opposed to the lower spreading habit of Phaeacantha.
There are many showy hybrids and selections available that are well worth growing. I keep my plants in bounds by judicious yearly pruning.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OPPH
http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=3384
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415204
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415194
Here are a few photos of the Phaeacantha I grow.
