- Eastern prickly pear
Taxobox
name = Eastern Prickly Pear
image_width = 240px
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Caryophyllales
familia =Cactaceae
genus = "Opuntia "
species = "O. humifusa"
binomial = "Opuntia humifusa"
binomial_authority = (Raf.) Raf.Eastern Prickly Pear ("Opuntia humifusa"), also known as Indian fig, is the only native
cactus found in the northeastern part ofNorth America and is found throughNew Jersey ,New York and theNew England states, and even in parts of EasternCanada , e.g. southernOntario .The green stems of this low-growing perennial cactus are flattened and are formed of segments; barbed bristles are found around the surfaces of the segments. The flowers are yellow to gold in color and are found along the margins of mature segments. The flowers are waxy and sometimes have red centers. They measure 4-6 cm wide and bloom in the late spring.
The juicy and edible red
fruit s measure from 3-5 cm. As the fruit matures, it changes colour from green to red, and often remains on the cactus until the following spring. There are 6 to 33 small, flat, light-coloredseed s in each fruit.This plant is very intolerant of shade. It thrives in full sun and well-drained
soil .Some botanists treat this cactus as a variety "Opuntia compressa" var. "humifusa", or a synonym of "Opuntia compressa". Those recognising this species treat "Opuntia rafinesquii" as a junior synonym.
References
* [http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/search/speciesDetails_e.cfm?SpeciesID=188 Speciesatrisk.gc.ca entry for Eastern Prickly Pear]
* [http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Prickly_pear/pricpear.htm Florida's Forest Plants - Prickly pear]
* [http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/ophu.htm "Opuntia humifusa" images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OPHU NCRS: USDA: Plants Profile: "Opuntia humifusa"]External links
* [http://winterhardycacti.blogspot.com/2006/09/flowering-opuntia-humifusa.html Flowering "Opuntia humifusa"]
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