Opuntia robusta

Opuntia robusta
Opuntia robusta
Flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species: O. robusta
Binomial name
Opuntia robusta
J.C.Wendl. ex Pfeiff.[1]

Opuntia robusta, Wheel Cactus or Camuesa, is a species of cactus in the Cactaceae family.[1] It is native and endemic to Mexico, North America.

Contents

Description

Plants are commonly around 1 metre high, though they may grow to over 3 metres-9 feet high when supported.[2]

The flattened stem segments are fleshy, round and blue-grey in colour.[2] These are up to 30 cm in diameter and have sharp spines up to 5 cm in length.[2] Yellow, sessile flowers with a fleshy base are produced on the edges of the upper stem segments.[2] These are followed by barrel-shaped fleshy fruits which are pink or purple and up to 8 cm long.[2]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described in 1837 in Enumeratio Diagnostica Cactearum hucusque Cognitarum.[1] It has naturalised in the states of South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria in Australia.[1][3]

Images

  • Opuntia robusta stem segment and immature fruit.

  • Opuntia robusta growth form.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Opuntia robusta". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=620. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Parsons, W.T. (1981). Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Australia: Inkata Press. ISBN 0909605009. 
  3. ^ http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Opuntia~robusta
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