- Taxon
- Weed
- Gallery
Classification
Class
Family
Genus
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Opuntia monacantha Haw. (1812)
Synonymy:
- = Opuntia vulgaris Mill. (1868)
Description
Plants to 4–5 m high, often with thick cylindric trunk. Stem segments to c. 30 cm long, often much less, ± ovate to oblong or obovate, flattened; base narrowed. Areoles villous and with brownish glochids; spines 1–2 per areole, 1–4 cm long. Fls on margins of stem segments, 5–9 cm diam. Sepals and petals 3–4 cm long, yellow, with red tinge or median red stripe on outside of outer petals, ovate. Filaments white or greenish. Stigmas c. 5 mm long. Fr. 5–7.5 × 3–4.5 cm, obovoid, reddish purple, fleshy, spineless; apex with large round depression. Pulp pale green or greenish white.
[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Opuntia vulgaris Mill.]
Biostatus
Exotic
Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Cameron, E.K. 2000: New names, combinations, or comments from the journals (7). New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter 62: 12–16.
Healy, A.J. 1959: Contributions to a Knowledge of the Adventive Flora of New Zealand No. VIII.—The “Succulent” Element of the Adventive Flora. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 87: 229–234.
Heenan, P.B.; de Lange, P.J.; Cameron, E.K.; Champion, P.D. 2002: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 1999–2000. New Zealand Journal of Botany 40(2): 155–174.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Leuenberger, B.E. 1993: Interpretation and typification of Cactus opuntia L., Opuntia vulgaris Mill., and 0. humifusa (Rafin.) Rafin. (Cactaceae). Taxon 42: 419–429.
