Opuntia caracassana

Opuntia caracassana
Opuntia caracassana
Systematics
Order : Clove-like (Caryophyllales) Family : Cactus family (Cactaceae) Subfamily : Opuntioideae Tribe : Opuntieae Genre : Opuntia ( Opuntia ) Type : Opuntia caracassana
Scientific name
Opuntia caracassana
Salm-Dyck

Opuntia caracassana is a species of plant in the genus Opuntia ( Opuntia ) from the cactus family(Cactaceae). The specific epithet caracassana refers to the site near Caracas in Venezuela.

description

Opuntia caracassana grows as a shrub with one to several upright shoots, is richly branched and reaches heights of 1 to 2 meters. The light green obovate to elliptical shoot sections taper towards both ends and are up to 25 centimeters long. The awl leaf rudiments on it are small. The two to five unequal, light yellow to whitish thorns are 2.5 to 4 centimeters long.

The yellow flowers are 6 to 7 centimeters long. The small fruits are red.

Distribution, systematics and endangerment

Opuntia caracassana is widespread in Venezuela and on the neighboring islands at altitudes of up to 1400 meters.

The first description was in 1850 by Joseph zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck .

In the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN , the species is listed as " Least Concern (LC) ". H. listed as not endangered. The development of the populations is considered stable.

proof

literature

• Edward F. Anderson : The Great Cactus Lexicon . Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8001-4573-1 , p. 452 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton: Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names . Birkhäuser 2004, ISBN 3-540-00489-0 , p. 40.
2. ↑ Cacteae in horto Dyckensi cultae anno 1849 . Henry & Cohen, Bonn 1850, p. 238 (online) .
3. ^ Opuntia caracassana in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.3. Listed by: Nassar, J. & Griffith, P., 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2015.

Web links

Commons : Opuntia caracassana  - Collection of images, videos and audio files