Opuntia saxicola
Opuntia saxicola is a flowering plant in the genus Opuntia ( Opuntia ) from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The epithet of the species is derived from the Latin words " saxum " for stone and " Incola " for residents and means rock dwellers.
Description
Opuntia saxicola growing tree similar to bushy and reaches a height of 1 to 2 meters. The yellowish green shoot sections are round, ovoid to oblong, 17 to 29 inches long, 12 to 20 inches wide and 0.5 to 2.2 inches thick. The areoles are wearing yellow glochids. The 14 to 30 different types of spines are yellow, brown or reddish in age and are 3-8 inches long.
The yellow flowers are 3-4 inches long and can reach a diameter between 2.5 and 3.5 centimeters. The green fruits are spherical, are 2.5 to 4 inches long, reach a diameter between 2.5 and 3.5 inches and are covered with thorns and glochids.
Systematics and distribution
Opuntia saxicola is widespread in the southwestern part of needs in Columbus Archipelago island of Isla Isabela.
The first description was in 1933 by John Thomas Howell.