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