Opuntia guatemalensis
| Opuntia guatemalensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Opuntia |
| Species: | O. guatemalensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Opuntia guatemalensis Britton ex. Rose
| |
Opuntia guatemalensis, commonly known as the Guatemalan prickly pear, is a species of prickly pear cactus in the family Cactaceae.[2] It was described by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose, who had written multiple journals about the Cactaceae family throughout 1919–1923, in which the genus Opuntia was included.[3]
Description
Opuntia guatemalensis is a low growing, spreading prickly pear, with pads that are 10–20 cm (4-8 inches) long. Areoles are light brown, or slightly tan, and raised. Spines are white-gray, being darker at the tip, and are present over 2/3 to 3/4 of an average pad. Large spines are partially perpendicular to the pad. Flower blooms are a light yellow to potentially a darker red.[2] The fruits are locally eaten.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Opuntia guatemalensis can be found in tropical, dry-temperate forests in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, with generally scattered individuals.[1][2]
Conservation
Opuntia guatemalensis is listed as least concern by the IUCN Red List, for there is no severe threats to its range. Forest fires may be a common threat though.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Hammel, B. (2017). "Opuntia guatemalensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T163410A121619332. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T163410A121619332.en. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ a b c "Opuntia guatemalensis – OBLOG". Retrieved 2023-04-07.
- ^ "The Cactaceae, Britton and Rose – OBLOG". Retrieved 2023-04-07.