Opuntia oricola

Opuntia oricola
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. oricola
Binomial name
Opuntia oricola
Philbrick

Opuntia oricola is a species of prickly pear cactus known by the common name chaparral prickly pear.

Description

Opuntia oricola is a large treelike cactus often exceeding 2 meters in height. The branches are made up of rounded flat segments up to 25 centimeters long. It is covered in clusters of curved, yellowish spines usually around 2 centimeters long.

The flowers are yellow, sometimes orange-tinged. The spherical fruit is purplish red on the outside, whitish and juicy inside, and up to 6 centimeters long. It was common along the coasts and adjacent inland areas of California, but development has reduced its populations.[2]

Distribution and Habitat

The plant is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats.

References

  1. ^ Pinkava, D.J.; Baker, M.; Puente, R. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Opuntia oricola". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152768A121609318. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152768A121609318.en. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Opuntia oricola". Opuntia Web. 24 January 2012.


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