Opuntia fragilis
Opuntia fragilis
Opuntia fragilis is a species in the genus Opuntia ( Opuntia ) from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The species is the most northerly common type of cactus. The specific epithet derives from the Latin adjective fragilis ' for fragile from.
Description
Opuntia fragilis grows bushy and very low. It forms along the bottom of mats that reach a growth of 5 to 10 cm and a width of 30 centimeters or more. The flattened inverted ovate to elliptical or circular drive sections are green and blue dissolve easily from each other. They are 2 to 4.5 inches long, 1.2 to 2.5 inches wide and 1.2 to 2 inches thick. The tapered leaves are up to 3 inches long. The 3-6 mm -spaced areoles bear tanned to brown, to 2 mm long glochids. The 1-6 (rarely 9) spikes that sometimes may be missing are white or greyish, spread and straight. They are between 1.2 to 3 inches long. The longest spine is found on the upper areoles.
The yellow, sometimes greenish flowers are 3-4 inches long and can reach a diameter of up to 4.5 centimeters. The green to reddish - green fruits are elongated and dry at the time of maturity. They are 1.2 to 2 inches long, have diameters of 1 to 1.2 centimeters and can be filled with thorns.
Systematics and distribution
Opuntia fragilis is common in the cooler areas of the Midwest of the United States. The range extends as far north as Canada. It is the most northerly common type of cactus.
The first description as Cactus fragilis was published in 1818 by Thomas Nuttall. Just one year later, Adrian Hardy Haworth, the kind in the genus Opuntia.
A synonym is brachyarthra among other Opuntia.
Use
The Okanagan and Secwepemc exhibit Opuntia fragilis forth a poultice in order to treat neck pain and other pain. They eat the engine sections as a diuretic.