Status:
valid
Authors:
R.Puente & C.Hamann
Source:
Caryophyllales.org
Year:
2005
Citation Micro:
in Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 77: 231. 2005.
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000390521
Common Names
- Carstenii Opuntia
- Carstenii Wild Opuntia
- Carstenii Dioscorea
Description
Opuntia carstenii (also called Carsten's prickly pear, among many other common names) is a perennial succulent plant native to Mexico and Central America. It has a short, tuberous, underground stem and its leaves are alternate, ovate-lanceolate, and glabrous. It grows in dry, rocky habitats.
Uses & Benefits
Opuntia carstenii is an edible cactus that is used in traditional Mexican cuisine. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a food crop.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Opuntia carstenii has small yellow flowers with five petals. The seeds are small and black, and the seedlings have two cotyledons.
Cultivation and Propagation
Opuntia carstenii is a low-growing, perennial cactus that is native to Mexico. It can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. Cuttings should be taken in the spring or summer and allowed to dry for a few days before planting. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining cactus mix and kept warm and moist until they germinate. Once established, the plant should be watered sparingly and kept in a sunny location.
Where to Find Opuntia carstenii
Opuntia carstenii is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Opuntia carstenii FAQ
What is the scientific name of Opuntia carstenii?
Opuntia carstenii
What is the common name of Opuntia carstenii?
Carsten's Prickly Pear
What is the natural habitat of Opuntia carstenii?
Deserts and scrublands
Species in the Opuntia genus
Opuntia megacantha,
Opuntia microdasys,
Opuntia laiglonii,
Opuntia lucayana,
Opuntia macrantha,
Opuntia lutea,
Opuntia lucida,
Opuntia longispina,
Opuntia piccolomini,
Opuntia pittieri,
Opuntia opuntia,
Opuntia occidentalis,
Opuntia peckii,
Opuntia phyllacantha,
Opuntia pennellii,
Opuntia papyracantha,
Opuntia fragilis,
Opuntia flavispina,
Opuntia stricta,
Opuntia straminea,
Opuntia stenarthra,
Opuntia ficus-indica,
Opuntia glaucophylla,
Opuntia elisae,
Opuntia elatior,
Opuntia effulgia,
Opuntia diversispina,
Opuntia festiva,
Opuntia inaequilateralis,
Opuntia humifusa,
Opuntia horstii,
Opuntia kuehnrichii,
Opuntia jussieui,
Opuntia intermedia,
Opuntia ithypetala,
Opuntia irrorata,
Opuntia guatemalensis,
Opuntia hondurensis,
Opuntia hitchenii,
Opuntia hanburyana,
Opuntia virens,
Opuntia woodsii,
Opuntia rooneyi,
Opuntia urbaniana,
Opuntia salmii,
Opuntia salicornoides,
Opuntia pubescens,
Opuntia protracta,
Opuntia praecox,
Opuntia reptans,
Species in the Cactaceae family
Acanthocalycium glaucum,
Acanthocalycium spiniflorum,
Acanthocalycium thionanthum,
Acanthocalycium leucanthum,
Acanthocalycium rhodotrichum,
Acanthocalycium klimpelianum,
Acanthocereus chiapensis,
Acanthocereus tetragonus,
Acanthocereus guatemalensis,
Acanthocereus maculatus,
Acanthocereus canoensis,
Acanthocereus castellae,
Acanthocereus cuixmalensis,
Acanthocereus fosterianus,
Acanthocereus haackeanus,
Acanthocereus hesperius,
Acanthocereus hirschtianus,
Acanthocereus macdougallii,
Acanthocereus oaxacensis,
Acanthocereus paradoxus,
Acanthocereus rosei,
Acanthocereus tepalcatepecanus,
Acanthocereus atropurpureus,
Acharagma aguirreanum,
Acharagma roseanum,
Airampoa albisaetacens,
Airampoa armata,
Airampoa ayrampo,
Airampoa boliviensis,
Airampoa cedergreniana,
Airampoa chilensis,
Airampoa corrugata,
Airampoa erectoclada,
Airampoa ianthinantha,
Airampoa microdisca,
Airampoa minuscula,
Airampoa orurensis,
Airampoa panellana,
Airampoa picardoi,
Airampoa silvestris,
Airampoa tilcarensis,
Aporepiphyllum freiburgensis,
Aporocactus flagelliformis,
Aporocactus martianus,
Aporocactus moennighoffii,
Aporocactus knebelii,
Aporoheliocereus smithianus,
Ariocarpus agavoides,
Ariocarpus bravoanus,
Ariocarpus drabi,
References
Raul Puente: Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'R.Puente' in the authors string.
Curt Hamann: Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'C.Hamann' in the authors string.