| Coastal pricklypear | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Opuntia |
| Species: | O. littoralis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Opuntia littoralis (
Engelm.) Cockerell
| |
Opuntia littoralis is a species of prickly pear cactus known by the common name coastal pricklypear. It is sometimes called the sprawling prickly pear due to its short stems and habit of growing close to the ground. "Littoral" means "pertaining to the seashore". [2]
Distribution
Opuntia littoralis is native to Southern California and Baja California, México, where it grows in coastal sage scrub [2] and chaparral habitats. It is also found offshore on the Islas Coronados, located south-southwest of Tijuana, Baja California and San Diego, California, as well as the California Channel Islands. This cactus is variable in appearance; there are several varieties and hybrids where similar species are mutually found.
Description
Opuntia littoralis generally grows in dense clumps spreading several meters wide and up to a meter-3 feet tall. The branches are made up of oval-shaped flat segments up to 22 centimetres (8.7 in) long. It is covered in clusters of yellowish spines 2 to 4 centimetres (0.79 to 1.57 in) long. The flowers are pale yellow [2] to dull red [3] occurring in May to June. [2] The fruit is purplish red and up to 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long. The fruit is edible. [2]
References
- ^ Pinkava, D.J.; Puente, R.; Baker, M. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Opuntia littoralis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152203A121582858. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152203A121582858.en. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., 2000, p. 88
- ^ Bruce D. Parfitt 2012, Opuntia littoralis, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=35277, accessed on April 08, 2018.
External links
- CalFlora Database — Opuntia littoralis
- Jepson Manual Treatment: Opuntia littoralis
- Opuntia littoralis Photo gallery
- Opuntia littoralis photo gallery at Opuntia Web
 | This Cactaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Opuntia
- Cacti of Mexico
- Cacti of the United States
- Flora of California
- Flora of Baja California
- Desert fruits
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the Channel Islands of California
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
- Cactus stubs