Class
Family
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Opuntia Mill., Gard. Dict., ed. 4, 3, (1754)
Vernacular Name(s):
Cholla; Prickly pear
Description
Prostrate to arborescent shrubs. Stems jointed, the segments cylindric to globose or flattened and pad-like. Areoles bearing numerous glochids and often hairs and spines. Lvs small, subulate or terete, caducous. Fls single in an areole, usually on margins of stem segments. Sepals green, or inner sepals similarly coloured to petals. Petals green, yellow, red, or occasionally white, opening widely. Stamens much < petals. Ovary with areoles and glochids, often with spines. Berry rather dry to very juicy, sometimes spiny. Seeds with whitish bony aril.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Biostatus
Exotic
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Exotic: Fully Naturalised | 2 |
| Exotic: Casual | 1 |
| Total | 3 |
Bibliography
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Miller, P. 1754: The Gardeners Dictionary. Vol. 3. Edition 4. London.
