Editing Eastern Prickly Pear (section)

=== Temperature ===

[[File:Usda_zone-map_ct_ri.jpg|thumb|USDA Zone Map of Connecticut, showing yearly average minimum temperature.]]Because temperature is widely acknowledged as a major factor in the ability of ''O. humifusa'' to establish itself in a particular locale, it is instructive to examine the location of known Connecticut colonies in juxtaposition with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Zone Map of Connecticut.  The USDA Zones Map shades various areas of the state based upon average extreme minimum temperature.

Zone 7a is warmest in Connecticut, with mean minimum temperatures of between 0&deg;F and 5&deg;F.  The range of this zone in Connecticut is very limited, extending in a narrow band along western coastal regions of the state, as well as the farthest eastern coastline.  Approximately 42% of the ''O. humifusa'' colonies I have observed (3 of 7 colonies) fall within Zone 7a.

Zone 6b covers most of the southern half of Connecticut and is characterized by a mean minimum temperature of between -5&deg;F and 0&deg;F.  Approximately 42% of the ''O. humifusa'' colonies I have observed (3 of 7 colonies) can be found in Zone 6b.

Zone 6a covers most of the northern half of Connecticut, with the exception of the northwestern corner of the state.  Mean minimum temperatures in the zone range from -10&deg;F to -5&deg;F.  Only one colony, the [[#Metacomet Colony (Plainville)|Metacomet Colony]] in Plainville, falls within this zone.

Zone 5b represents the coldest regions of Connecticut, with mean minimum temperatures ranging from -15&deg;F to -10&deg;F.  Only the northwestern hills of Connecticut fall within this coldest zone.  I have not documented any colonies within this zone, nor have I found any historic data suggesting that ''O. humifusa'' ever lived there.

Although confirmed colonies of ''O. humifusa'' can be found in 3 of the 4 zones of Connecticut, the cactus clearly shows a preference for Zone 7a and 6b.  Currently, 85% of the colonies I have photo-documented grow within these adjacent zones.  Furthermore, if we include known colonies that I have yet to document, that number can likely be raised even higher, with as much as 90% - 95% of Connecticut's total biomass of ''O. humifusa'' growing within Zones 7a and 6b.