Opuntia cochenillifera

Species of cactus

Opuntia cochenillifera
Conservation status

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. cochenillifera
Binomial name
Opuntia cochenillifera
(L.) Mill., 1768
Synonyms
Opuntia nuda
Nopalea nuda
Nopalea cochenillifera
Cactus cochenilliferus
Cactus cochenillifera
Cactus cochenilifer

Opuntia cochenillifera is a species of cactus in the subfamily Opuntioideae. It may have been endemic to Mexico, but has been widely introduced.[1] The first description was in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as Cactus cochenillifer. Philip Miller renamed it as Opuntia cochenillifera in 1768.

Ecology

Unlike most Opuntia species, O. cochenillifera is pollinated by hummingbirds.[2][3]

Flower

References

  1. ^ a b Arreola, H.; Ishiki, M.; Terrazas, T. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Nopalea cochenillifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152027A121518289. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152027A121518289.en. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  2. ^ J.A. Reyes-Agüero, J.R. Aguirre R., A. Valiente-Banuet (2006) Reproductive biology of Opuntia: A review. Journal of Arid Environments 64(4):549-585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.06.018
  3. ^ Flora of the Southeastern United States

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opuntia cochenillifera.
  • Plants Profile for Opuntia cochenillifera (cochineal nopal cactus)
  • Opuntia cochenillifera - Species Page - ISB: Atlas of Florida Plants
Taxon identifiers
Opuntia cochenillifera
Cactus cochenillifer


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