Prickly Pears & Chollas
Teddy-bear Cholla & Prickly Pear
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Genus: Opuntia
Species
Many, see text

Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family Cactaceae. Both prickly pears and chollas are included in this genus of about 250 species distributed throughout most of the New World. The type species of the genus is the Indian Fig Opuntia Opuntia ficus-indica. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1011x1206, 381 KB) Description: Teddy-bear Cholla (Opuntia bigelovii) & Prickly Pear (species uncertain) cactus together. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Divisions Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Hepatophyta - liverworts Anthocerophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongues Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta - ginkgo Gnetophyta - gnetae Magnoliophyta - flowering plants Adiantum pedatum (a fern... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants (also angiosperms or Magnoliophyta) are one of the major groups of modern plants, comprising those that produce seeds in specialized reproductive organs called flowers, where the ovulary or carpel is enclosed. ... Orders see text Dicotyledons or dicots are flowering plants whose seed contains two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. ... Families Achatocarpaceae Aizoaceae (Fig-marigold family) Amaranthaceae (amaranth family) Ancistrocladaceae Asteropeiaceae Barbeuiaceae Basellaceae (basella family) Cactaceae (cactus family) Caryophyllaceae (carnation family) Dioncophyllaceae Droseraceae (sundew family) Drosophyllaceae Frankeniaceae Molluginaceae (carpetweed family) Nepenthaceae Nyctaginaceae (four-oclock family) Physenaceae Phytolaccaceae (pokeweed family) Plumbaginaceae (plumbago family) Polygonaceae (buckwheat family) Portulacaceae (purslane family) Rhabdodendraceae... This article is about the desert plant. ... See genus (mathematics) for the use of the term in mathematics. ... Genera Many, see text A cactus (plural, cacti or cactuses) is a type of (usually) succulent plant belonging to the dicotyledonous flowering plant family, Cactaceae. ... Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, c. ... In scientific classification, a type is a specimen or description that corresponds to a taxon (a group of organisms), and helps to identify which organisms may be referred to with that name. ...

Flower of Opuntia ficus-indica; note the two types of spines

Prickly pears, classified in the subgenus Opuntia, typically grow with flat, rounded segments that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, almost hairlike spines that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pear can grow into dense, tangled structures. Prickly pears are the only types of cacti normally found in the eastern United States, and are the most cold-tolerant of the cacti, extending north into southern Canada. Download high resolution version (800x700, 141 KB)Flower of Opuntia ficus-indica photographed June 30, 2004 by Eric Guinther in South Kohala, Island of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i nei. ... Download high resolution version (800x700, 141 KB)Flower of Opuntia ficus-indica photographed June 30, 2004 by Eric Guinther in South Kohala, Island of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i nei. ...

Chollas, classified in the subgenus Cylindropuntia, are distinguished by having cylindrical, not flattened, stem segments, and with the large spines barbed. Some botanists treat Cylindropuntia as a distinct genus. The stem joints of several species, notably the Jumping Cholla (Opuntia fulgida), are very brittle on young stems, readily breaking off when the barbed spines stick into clothing or animal skin; this helps distribute the cholla as when the stem falls off the person or animal, it is able to take root and grow where it falls. The barbed spines often remain embedded in the skin, causing significant discomfort and sometimes injury. Binomial name Opuntia fulgida Engelm. ...

The fruit of opuntias, called tuna, is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. It is often used to make candies and jelly. The young stem segments, called nopales, are also edible. Fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain. ... A shelf filled with candies Candy is a term for a type of confectionery prepared by dissolving sugar in water or milk and boiling it until it starts to caramelize. ... Jelly is a sweet or savoury food gel, usually made through the addition of gelatin or pectin. ... Nopales are a vegetable, made from the young stem segments of prickly pear, carefully peeled to remove the spines. ...

Prickly pears in Australia

Prickly pears (mostly O. stricta) were imported into Australia in the 1920s for use as a natural agricultural fence, but quickly became a widespread weed, rendering 40,000 km² of farming land unproductive. The Cactoblastis moth, a South American moth whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the infestation. This case is often cited as a "textbook" example of successful biological pest control. The same moth, introduced accidentally further north of its native range into southern North America, is causing serious damage to some native species in that area. Sometimes referred to as the Jazz Age or primarily in North America as the Roaring Twenties. // Events and trends Technology John T. Thompson invents Thompson submachine gun, also known as Tommy gun John Logie Baird invents the first working television system (1925) Charles Lindbergh becomes the first person to fly... Dandelions, shown here in proliferation, are commonly thought of as weeds. ... A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Biological control of pests and diseases // Overview A key belief of the organic gardener is that diversity furthers health. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is a continent in the northern hemisphere, bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west...

Example species

The nopal cactus is featured on the Coat of Arms of Mexico.

Opuntia brasiliensis

• Subgenus Opuntia True prickly pears. Often difficult to identify, due to hybridization.
  • Opuntia basilaris - Beavertail Cactus; found in southwest U.S. and northwest Mexico.
  • Opuntia chlorotica - Pancake Prickly Pear; native to southwest U.S. and the Sonoran an Mojave deserts.
  • Opuntia engelmannii - Engelmann's Pear (also called Calico Cactus, Engelmann Prickly Pear). The tunas, their fruit, are a major food in Mexico.
  • Opuntia erinacea - Grizzly Bear Opuntia.
  • Opuntia ficus-indica - Indian Fig Opuntia; native range is unknown, probably Mexico; cultivated in warm parts of the world for its edible fruit.
  • Opuntia fragilis - Little Prickly Pear, Brittle Cactus; found in the northern Great Plains and as far west as British Columbia, also found in the southern Great Plains
  • Opuntia humifusa (syn. Opuntia compressa var. humifusa) - Eastern Prickly Pear; found throughout the U.S. east of the Great Plains and into southern Ontario
  • Opuntia leucotricha - Arborescent Prickly Pear (other common names: Aaron’s Beard Cactus, Semaphore Cactus, Duraznillo Blanco, Nopal Blanco); a tree-like cactus, growing up to 5 m tall, occurring in the mountains of Central Mexico.
  • Opuntia lindheimeri - Texas Prickly Pear).
  • Opuntia littoralis - Sprawling Prickly Pear.
  • Opuntia macrocentra - Black Spine Prickly Pear or Purple Prickly Pear; found in southwest U.S. and northern Mexico.
  • Opuntia macrorhiza - Plains Prickly Pear; found throughout the Great Plains except for the northernmost areas (not found in North Dakota), and extending sporadically eastward as far as Kentucky.
  • Opuntia microdasys - Bunny Ears; found in Mexico (Hidalgo).
  • Opuntia phaeacantha - New Mexico Prickly Pear.
  • Opuntia polyacantha - Plains Prickly Pear.
  • Opuntia pusilla - Creeping Cactus.
  • Opuntia santa-rita - Santa Rita Prickly Pear; found in Texas, Arizona and northern Mexico.
  • Opuntia stricta - Spineless Prickly Pear, Coastal Prickly Pear.

• Subgenus Cylindropuntia. Chollas.
  • Opuntia acanthocarpa - Buckhorn Cholla
  • Opuntia arbuscula - Pencil cholla
  • Opuntia bigelovii - Teddy-bear Cholla
  • Opuntia echinocarpa - Silver Cholla
  • Opuntia fulgida - Jumping Cholla
  • Opuntia imbricata - Cane Cholla, Tree Cholla
  • Opuntia leptocaulis - Desert Christmas Cactus
  • Opuntia ramosissima - Diamond Cholla
  • Opuntia spinosior - Tasajo Cholla
  • Opuntia stanlyi - Devil Cholla
  • Opuntia versicolor - Staghorn Cholla
  • Opuntia whipplei - Rat-tail Cholla

Coat of Arms of Mexico File links The following pages link to this file: Mexico List of Mexicans Coat of Arms of Mexico ... Coat of Arms of Mexico File links The following pages link to this file: Mexico List of Mexicans Coat of Arms of Mexico ... Coat of Arms The coat of arms of Independent Mexico which was adopted in 1821, depicts a golden eagle, also called águila real eating a snake that it is holding in its claw. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x640, 90 KB) Name Opuntia brasiliensis Family Cactaceae Image no. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x640, 90 KB) Name Opuntia brasiliensis Family Cactaceae Image no. ... Binomial name Opuntia basilaris Engelmann & Bigelow, 1856 The Beavertail Cactus is found in southwest USA, mostly in the Mojave and Colorado deserts, and also in northwest Mexico. ... Fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain. ... The Great Plains states. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Splendour without diminishment) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Area 944,735 km² (5th)  - Land 925,186 km²  - Water 19,549 km² (2. ... Species Opuntia humifusa Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa), also known as Indian fig, is the only native cactus found in the northeastern part of North America and is found through New Jersey, New York and the New England states, and even in parts of Eastern Canada. ... The Great Plains states. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Area 1,076,395 km² (4th)  - Land 917,741 km²  - Water 158,654 km² (14. ... The Great Plains states. ... State nickname: Peace Garden State, Roughrider State, Flickertail State Other U.S. States Capital Bismarck Largest city Fargo Governor John Hoeven (R) Official languages English Area 183 272 km² (19th)  - Land 178 839 km²  - Water 4 432 km² (2. ... State nickname: Bluegrass State Other U.S. States Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) Official languages English Area 104,749 km² (37th)  - Land 102,989 km²  - Water 1,760 km² (1. ... This article is about the Mexican state. ... Binomial name Opuntia bigelovii Engelm. ... Binomial name Opuntia fulgida Engelm. ... Binomial name Opuntia imbricata Haw. ...

External link

• Prickly Pear Cactus in the North American desert.

Gallery

Prickly Pear cactus Download high resolution version (1024x768, 515 KB)Prickly pear cactus File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	Indian Fig Opuntia|Opuntia ficus-indica]] growing on Kohala, Hawai‘i Island Photograph of the Hawaiian volcano, Mauna Kea, with a light dusting of snow, seen from Kohala above Kamuela. ... Kohala is the name of a district on the northwest portion of the island of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii. ... Image of Hawai‘i (island) taken by NASA. The Island of Hawai‘i is one of the eight main islands that make up the state of Hawai‘i. ...	Prickly Pear Prickly pear closeup Image taken by me, released under GFDL Pollinator 06:51, 15 Feb 2004 (UTC) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) Image File history File links Name Opuntia humifusa Family Cactaceae Image no. ...
New Mexico Prickly Pear (Opuntia phaeacantha) Image File history File links Name Opuntia phaeacantha Family Cactaceae Image no. ...	Opuntia vulgaris from Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885 Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1441x2298, 774 KB) Name Opuntia vulgaris Family Cactaceae Original book source: Prof. ...	cactus at Drumheller, Alberta Download high resolution version (1200x1200, 334 KB)cactus at Drumheller Alberta File links The following pages link to this file: Drumheller, Alberta Opuntia ... Drumheller, (51°28′ N 112°44′ W Elevation: 00 feet), is a city in the Badlands of east-central Alberta on the Red Deer River an hour and a half northeast of Calgary. ... Motto: Fortis et Liber (Strong and free) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Area 661,848 km² (6th)  - Land 642,317 km²  - Water 19,531 km² (2. ...	Bud of Prickly Pear Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1269, 324 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Opuntia ...
Cane or Tree Cholla (Opuntia imbricata) Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1633x865, 543 KB) Tree cholla or cane cholla (Opuntia imbricata or Cylindropuntia imbricata) in snow. ...

Wikimedia Commons has more media related to:

Opuntia