Editing Eastern Prickly Pear (section)

===  Inland Indicator Species ===

Inland colonies have demonstrated an undeniable association with ''Juniperus virginiana'' var. ''virginiana'', a coniferous juniper known commonly as the Eastern Red Cedar.  It would seem that the high-elevation inland habitat requirements for ''J. virginiana'' closely mirror those of ''Opuntia humifusa''.

To be clear, it is not as if ''O. humifusa'' can be found growing among every high-elevation inland site where ''J. virginiana'' thrives.  However, the strong association I've observed between these two species leads me to believe that wherever one does happen to find inland ''O. humifusa'' colonies, ''J. virginiana'' will be found in close association.  In fact, when conducting preliminary examinations of satellite imagery prior to an inland field exploration, I oftentimes rule out those potential habitat areas where I cannot see the tell-tale treetops of ''J. virginiana''.