Opuntia microdasys
Opuntia microdasys
Opuntia microdasys is a flowering plant in the genus Opuntia ( Opuntia ) from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet microdasys derives from the Greek adjective " μικρός " ( micros ) for small and " δασύς " ( dasys ) for densely hairy from. Spanish common names are " Cegador ", " Nopal cegador " and " Nopalillo Cegador ".
Description
Opuntia microdasys grows bushy and well-branched. It forms low cushions with a height of up to 1 meter. The oblong to round, pale green shoot sections are finely hairy and are 8 to 15 inches long. The striking, large, round areoles close together. They carry numerous golden yellow or brownish glochids. Spines usually absent, rarely one exists.
The yellow flowers have a reddish hue and reach up to 4 inches in diameter. The spherical, dark red fruits are covered with many areoles bearing dense glochids.
Systematics and distribution
Opuntia microdasys is widely used in the Mexican Chihuahuan Desert. The distribution area extends south into the state of Hidalgo.
The first description was in 1827 as Cactus microdasys by Johann Georg Christian Lehmann ( 1792-1860 ). Ludwig Karl Georg Pfeiffer she put 1837 in the genus Opuntia. A synonym is Opuntia macrocalyx.