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Plants and coastal habitats

Back-dune woody plants

Identification, habitat and South Padre Island field notes for back-dune woody plants.

Texas prickly pear (Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri) — , native. Broadly oval pads eight to twelve inches long, yellow two-inch flowers April to June, and berry-like fruit; the plant can reach nearly five feet . The TPWD dune-grassland system names this variety among its woody species . Island records are filed under Opuntia lindheimeri (iNat 8) alongside several other prickly pears: beach prickly pear (Opuntia anahuacensis, 5), Opuntia dillenii (4), Opuntia alta (3), and Opuntia stricta (1) .

Spanish dagger (Yucca treculeana) — , native, iNat 22. A shrub or small tree ten feet or more, unbranched except near the top, with stiff, sharp-tipped leaves to three feet long and dense clusters of white or faintly purplish flowers from December to April, peaking in March and April .

Observe responsibly

Wildlife, tides and access conditions change. Keep a respectful distance, do not feed wildlife, stay out of dunes and marked nesting areas, and use current official rules before fishing or handling any catch.

Useful next steps

More about Back-dune woody plants

  • Texas prickly pear

    Identification, habitat and island ecology for texas prickly pear around South Padre Island.

  • Spanish dagger

    Identification, habitat and island ecology for spanish dagger around South Padre Island.