Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Opuntia polyacantha group
Opuntia polyacanthaHaw.: (var.polyacantha) has spines rarely exceeding 5 cm (2 in) in length, and dense spines on the fruits. Distribution: Alberta and Saskatchewan south to western Texas, New Mexico, and southeastern Utah.
Opuntia polyacantha var. albispina(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) J.M.Coult.: is a creeping form with spines to only 3.5 cm long, and some spines on the fruits. Distribution: New Mexico, west Texas, and Mexico.
Opuntia polyacantha var. arenaria(Engelm.) B.D.Parfitt: is a creeping form with spines to only 3.5 cm long, and some spines on the fruits. Distribution: southeastern New Mexico, west Texas, and neighboring Mexico.
Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) B.D.Parfitt: has spines to 10 cm long, and very spiny fruits. Distribution: western United States.
Opuntia polyacantha var. hystricina(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) B.D.Parfitt: has spines to 10 cm long, and fruits that are spiny above. Distribution: from northern Arizona to Colorado.
Opuntia polyacantha var. nicholii(L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt: has spines to 12.5 cm long, and some spines on the fruits. Disstribution: Navajoan Desert of Utah and Arizona.
