http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5932786
We know from the SDNHM’s voucher specimens of this plant that it has been cultivated in various parks and personal gardens in San Diego County and that it has escaped into natural areas in the past. This observation shows that Opuntia microdasys, which is native to Mexico and naturalized in Arizona, is present in yet another natural area and in this case, it is pretty far removed from areas with gardens where the species may have been planted. Where will it turn up next? You may be the one to photograph and post an observation to iNat that will reveal the answer.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2659759

As the year 2017 draws to a close and the San Diego County Plant Atlas Project on iNat celebrates its one-year anniversary, we wanted to share with you some milestones. The project now has over 50,000 observations of plants in San Diego County. The Observation of the Year is the earliest observation currently in the project. This Teddy-Bear Cholla was photographed by martinbishop in 1970! Older photos of plants can be posted on iNat at any time, as long as you know the date and are able to pinpoint the location the photo was taken.

Almost 2,000 people have posted observations of plants in San Diego County, but of those, just 10 people are responsible for over 50% of the observations. At the other end of the spectrum, over 1,500 people have each posted fewer than 10 observations of plants in the project. The project currently has 166 members. If you haven't joined the project, please do, and don't forget to adjust your account settings so that curators are able to view private coordinates of sensitive plants--this will allow more accurate mapping of plants that are in need of conservation.

This first year has produced some wonderful observations and we look forward to many more in the future. Thank you all for your contributions to the San Diego County Plant Atlas Project on iNat!