Segments, areoles and flowers
Griffiths described Opuntia atrispina as a spreading plant with branches resting on the substrate or ascending and mostly upright lateral branches. Segments were yellowish green, obovate to almost round. A distinctive spine trait is the abrupt colour change between a black or reddish brown base and a yellow tip. The proportions of the two colours varied between individuals. [Griffiths 1910, p. 172]
Areoles contained yellow glochids of different lengths. Flowers were yellow, later orange, about 4–5 cm in diameter when fully open. Fruits were described as small, pear-shaped and reddish purple outside, with a green-yellow inner layer and little flesh. [Griffiths 1910, p. 172–173]
Pochodzenie nazwy
Type material came from near Devils River in Texas. The description was based on plants at the site and subsequent field notes. The name was published in 1910, and POWO retains Opuntia atrispina Griffiths as a species. [Griffiths 1910, p. 173] [2-WWW]