Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
curassavica
ID:
387263

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Mill.

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
1768

Citation Micro:
Gard. Dict.: Opuntia No. 7. 1768.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000386595

Common Names

  • Opuntia curassavica
  • Curassavica Opuntia
  • Curassavica's Opuntia

Searching for Opuntia curassavica? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Synonyms

  • Opuntia hattoniana Britton & Rose [unknown]
  • Cactus curassavicus L. [unknown]
  • Opuntia curassavica colombiana Backeb. [unknown]
  • Opuntia curassavica longa Haw. [unknown]
  • Terecaulis curassavicus (L.) Berge [unknown]

Description

Opuntia curassavica (also called Curaçao Prickly Pear, among many other common names) is a species of cactus native to Mexico. It has a shrubby habit and can grow up to 1.5m tall. It has yellow flowers and yellow-green fruits. It is found in dry, rocky areas in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia curassavica is used as a food source, for its ornamental value, as a windbreak, and for erosion control.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Opuntia curassavica has small yellow flowers with five petals and a yellow center. The seeds are small and black, and the seedlings are small and green with a single pair of leaves.

Searching for Opuntia curassavica? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia curassavica is a shrubby cactus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is drought-tolerant and can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. Cuttings should be taken in late spring or early summer and planted in a well-draining soil mix. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist until germination occurs. Once established, the plant requires little water and can tolerate periods of drought.

Where to Find Opuntia curassavica

Opuntia curassavica is native to Mexico and can be found in desert and semi-desert habitats.

Opuntia curassavica FAQ

What is the scientific name of Opuntia curassavica?

Opuntia curassavica

What is the common name of Opuntia curassavica?

Curassavica Prickly Pear

What is the natural habitat of Opuntia curassavica?

Tropical regions of the Caribbean and Central America

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

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Philip Miller (1691-1771): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Mill.' in the authors string.