Opuntia excelsa

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Opuntia excelsa
Systematics
Order : Clove-like (Caryophyllales)
Family : Cactus family (Cactaceae)
Subfamily : Opuntioideae
Tribe : Opuntieae
Genre : Opuntia ( Opuntia )
Type : Opuntia excelsa
Scientific name
Opuntia excelsa
Sánchez-Mej.

Opuntia excelsa is a species of plant in the genus Opuntia ( Opuntia ) from the cactus family(Cactaceae). The specific epithet excelsa means '(Latin excelsus) high, sublime'.

description

Opuntia excelsa grows tree-shaped and branches above the ground surface with 2 to 4 meter high branches. A clear 5 to 6 meter high trunk with a diameter of up to 40 centimeters is formed. The shiny dark green, smooth, thin, obovate to truncated shoot sections are often reddish purple in color below the areoles . They are 23 to 30 inches long and 17 to 22 inches wide. The areoles located on cusps are elliptical. The small glochids are yellow. The one or two (rarely three to five), often missing thorns, are only present on the lower parts of the shoot sections. They are strong, straight or slightly curved and whitish gray with a darker tip. The thorns are 0.4 to 1.8 inches long.

The yellowish to light pink flowers have darker reddish perianth tips or a similar center. They have a diameter of up to 7 centimeters. The fig- to pear-shaped fruits are reddish purple and 7 to 8 centimeters long.

Distribution, systematics and endangerment

Opuntia excelsa is common in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Colima .

The first description was in 1972 by Hernándo Sánchez-Mejorada .

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

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cactaceas y Suculentas Mexicanas . Volume 17, Number 3, 1972, pp. 67-68, 73.
  2. ↑ Opuntia excelsa in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.3. Posted by: Terrazas, T., Cházaro, M. & Arreola, H., 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2015.