Opuntia aurea

Opuntia aurea is a cactus that grows in Southern Utah and possibly Northern Arizona.

Description

It is prostrate and forms irregularly sprawling plants to about three feet across. Cladodes grow up to 10 cm long. Occasionally a single pad may grow upright. Areoles are slightly sunken. The cactus can be spineless, have a few spines or have multiple spines. Spines may be in the distal areoles only.
Flowers may range from pale yellow to strong pink. The fruits typically bear no spines, but a few may appear at the apex. Seeds are circular with diameters around 7-8 mm.