Engelmann, G. (1857), Synopsis of the Cactaceae of the territory of the United States and adjacent regions. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 3: 301 [tax. nov.]

• Type: "Near the Mojave, between the Colorado and the Californian mountains."

Telford, I.R.H. in George, A.S. (ed.) (1984), Cactaceae. Flora of Australia 4: 67 [secondary reference]

Parfitt, B.D. (1998), New nomenclatural combinations in the Opuntia polyacantha complex. Cactus and Succulent Journal (Los Angeles) 70(4): 188 [basionym]

basionym of: Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) B.D.Parfitt legitimate

---