How to Identify and Classify Prickly Pears
  • 1. What is the primary defining characteristic of a Prickly Pear cactus?
A) Single, cylindrical stem
B) Large size
C) Presence of glochids
D) Bright flowers
  • 2. Glochids are best described as:
A) Small, barbed bristles
B) Sticky sap
C) Soft, fuzzy hairs
D) Large, sharp spines
  • 3. The pads of a Prickly Pear are technically modified:
A) Leaves
B) Flowers
C) Stems
D) Roots
  • 4. What is the typical shape of Prickly Pear pads?
A) Cylindrical
B) Triangular
C) Oval or oblong
D) Round
  • 5. What is the term for the fruit produced by a Prickly Pear?
A) Pod
B) Berry
C) Tuna
D) Capsule
  • 6. What color are the flowers of many common Prickly Pear species?
A) White
B) Yellow
C) Purple
D) Blue
  • 7. Which feature is MOST helpful in differentiating Prickly Pear species?
A) Fruit taste
B) Pad size
C) Spine arrangement and number
D) Flower color
  • 8. What is the common name for *Opuntia ficus-indica*?
A) Indian Fig Opuntia
B) Saguaro Cactus
C) Cholla Cactus
D) Beavertail Cactus
  • 9. Which type of habitat is LEAST likely to support Prickly Pear growth?
A) Swamp
B) Grassland
C) Desert
D) Arid Scrubland
  • 10. What is the primary purpose of spines on a Prickly Pear?
A) Providing structural support
B) Attracting pollinators
C) Aiding in water absorption
D) Defense against herbivores
  • 11. The areoles on a Prickly Pear pad are the structures from which...
A) Only flowers emerge
B) Only spines emerge
C) Only glochids emerge
D) Spines, glochids, and flowers emerge
  • 12. Which characteristic distinguishes Beavertail Prickly Pear (*Opuntia basilaris*) from other species?
A) Extremely long spines
B) Bright red flowers
C) Nearly spineless pads
D) Cylindrical pads
  • 13. What is the general growth habit of Prickly Pears?
A) Sprawling or upright
B) Vining
C) Epiphytic
D) Submerged aquatic
  • 14. What is the significance of identifying Prickly Pear species accurately?
A) Understanding their ecological role and potential invasiveness.
B) Because all Prickly Pears have the same medicinal benefits.
C) To determine the price they can be sold for.
D) To determine if they can be used as livestock feed.
  • 15. What are the main differences between *Opuntia* and *Cylindropuntia*?
A) *Opuntia* only grow in deserts, *Cylindropuntia* only grow in forests.
B) *Opuntia* have toxic fruit, *Cylindropuntia* have edible fruit.
C) *Opuntia* are always small, *Cylindropuntia* are always large.
D) *Opuntia* have flat pads, *Cylindropuntia* have cylindrical stems.
  • 16. Which part of the Prickly Pear is commonly eaten by humans?
A) The roots
B) The pads and the fruit
C) The spines
D) The flowers
  • 17. What tool is essential for safely handling Prickly Pear pads?
A) A shovel
B) Tongs or thick gloves
C) A watering can
D) A magnifying glass
  • 18. What type of soil do Prickly Pears typically prefer?
A) Soggy soil
B) Rich, loamy soil
C) Well-draining soil
D) Clay soil
  • 19. What is the main function of the thick, waxy coating on Prickly Pear pads?
A) Attracting pollinators
B) Protection from insects
C) Water conservation
D) Reflecting sunlight
  • 20. What is one method of propagating Prickly Pears?
A) Leaf cuttings
B) Pad cuttings
C) Root division
D) Air layering
  • 21. Which of these characteristics helps distinguish Engelmann's Prickly Pear?
A) Small, round pads
B) Hair-like spines
C) Long, curved spines
D) Blue-green pads
  • 22. How does the fruit color typically change as it ripens?
A) White to black
B) Red to green
C) Green to red or purple
D) Yellow to brown
  • 23. What is a key difference between juvenile and mature Prickly Pear plants?
A) Spine density and pad size
B) Root structure
C) Flower color
D) Glochid absence/presence
  • 24. Where are glochids located on the Prickly Pear?
A) On the roots
B) On spines
C) On the fruit
D) In areoles
  • 25. What is a common use of Prickly Pear pads in Mexican cuisine?
A) Nopales (cooked pads)
B) Pickled roots
C) Fried flowers
D) Spine tea
  • 26. Which animal commonly disperses Prickly Pear seeds?
A) Bees
B) Birds
C) Snakes
D) Ants
  • 27. What is the term for a cluster of spines arising from a single areole?
A) Spine bundle
B) Spine array
C) Spine cluster
D) Spine ring
  • 28. What should you do if you get glochids in your skin?
A) Ignore them, they will fall out.
B) Use tape or tweezers to remove them.
C) Rub the area vigorously.
D) Apply water immediately.
  • 29. What is a potential ecological consequence of Prickly Pear introduction to new areas?
A) Reduced wildfire risk.
B) Invasive species outcompeting native plants.
C) Enhanced biodiversity.
D) Increased soil fertility.
  • 30. What is the best time of year to observe Prickly Pear flowers for identification purposes?
A) Spring and early summer
B) Winter
C) Late fall
D) Any time of year
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