Cylindropuntia prolifera
Cylindropuntia prolifera
Cylindropuntia prolifera is a species of the genus Cylindropuntia in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet prolifera means (Latin prolifer ) clumping '.
Description
Cylindropuntia prolifera growing shrubby or tree- shaped, upright and reaches heights of growth from 0.6 to 2.5 meters. On the gently sloping greenish gray, 4 to 15 centimeters long and 3.5 to 5 centimeters in diameter measured drive sections are projecting cusps. The slightly rounded, tan bewollten areoles are black in old age and wear 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters long yellow to brown glochids. The six to twelve spines are present with the exception of the lowest in all areoles. They are spread, the lower bent downward, needle-like and reddish brown to dark brown. The longest of them are up to 2 inches long. The sheaths of the spines are bright shiny yellowish brown.
The flowers are pink to magenta. The kreiselfömigen fruits are fleshy and usually sterile. They are 2.1 to 3.5 inches long, and have diameters of from 2 to 3.2 centimeter. The fruits often proliferate and form short upright chains of two to five fruits.
Systematics and distribution
Cylindropuntia prolifera is distributed in the United States in the state of California as well as in the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur on steep coasts and coastal hills.
The first description as Opuntia prolifera by George Engelmann was published in 1852. Frederik Marcus Knuth introduced the type 1936 in the genus Cylindropuntia.