Opuntia lasiacantha
Opuntia lasiacantha Pfeiff.
Opuntia lasiacantha is a species in the Cactaceae family, characterized by an arborescent growth form. It is native to regions in Mexico and Tibet, with a global distribution. This species was first described in 1837 by Pfeiff. It features a defined trunk, wax-covered cladodes, and distinct areolas with short trichomes and spines.
Description
Opuntia lasiacantha is an arborescent cactus reaching 2.0–3.0 m in height, with a trunk up to 50 cm in diameter and a grayish scaly bark. The cladodes are oblanceolate to obovate, 45–62 cm long and 24–29 cm wide, covered in a waxy layer. Areolas are arranged in 11–12 series, spaced 3.8 cm apart, with elliptical areolas measuring 0.4 × 0.3 cm and short black trichomes. Spines are yellowish white, rigid, and cylindrical, 0.4–3.3 cm long, often twisted and unequal. The flowers are yellow, 9–10.5 cm long, with cylindrical pericarps and obovate perianth segments. Juvenile cladodes show prominent tubers and subulate, erect leaves with a reddish apex.
Distribution
Global · Mexico Central · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Southwest · Tibet
Synonyms
Opuntia zacuapanensisOpuntia chaetocarpaOpuntia rzedowskiiOpuntia megacantha f. lasiacanthaOpuntia megacantha var. lasiacantha
