Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
humifusa
ID:
386479

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Raf.) Raf.

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
1830

Citation Micro:
in Med. Fl. 2: 247. 1830.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000385811

Common Names

  • Prickly Pear
  • Nopal
  • Indian Fig

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Synonyms

  • Opuntia italica Ten. ex Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Opuntia intermedia Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia vulgaris Mill. [unknown]
  • Opuntia rubiflora Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia prostrata Monv. & Lem. ex C.F.Först. [unknown]
  • Platyopuntia vulgaris (Mill.) F.Ritter [unknown]
  • Cactus humifusus Raf. [unknown]
  • Opuntia compressa allairei (Griffiths) D.Weniger [unknown]
  • Opuntia humifusa humifusa [unknown]
  • Opuntia humifusa humifusa [unknown]
  • Opuntia calcicola Wherry [unknown]
  • Opuntia rafinesquei Engelm. [unknown]
  • Cactus italicus Ten. [unknown]
  • Cactus italicus Ten. ex Steud. [unknown]
  • Opuntia allairei Griffiths [unknown]
  • Cactus opuntia vulgaris (Mill.) DC. [unknown]
  • Opuntia compressa humifusa (Raf.) D.Weniger [unknown]
  • Opuntia intermedia prostrata Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia rafinesquei parva F.Haage & E.Schmidt [unknown]
  • Opuntia rafinesquiana Urlandt [unknown]
  • Opuntia vulgaris major Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia vulgaris media Salm-Dyck [unknown]

Description

Opuntia humifusa (also called Devil's Tongue, among many other common names) is a low-growing, mat-forming cactus species native to the United States. It has flat, oval-shaped pads with yellow flowers and red fruits. It grows in dry, sandy soils in sunny areas, such as grasslands, deserts and scrublands.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia humifusa is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a source of food. It is also used in traditional medicines to treat digestive problems and skin conditions.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Opuntia humifusa has yellow flowers with a diameter of 1-2 cm. The seeds are small, black and oval-shaped. The seedlings are small, green and oval-shaped.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia humifusa is a species of cactus native to South America. It can be propagated from seed or by cuttings. It prefers a warm, dry environment and should be grown in a potting mix of equal parts of sand and perlite. The plant should be kept slightly moist and should be fertilized regularly with a balanced fertilizer.

Where to Find Opuntia humifusa

Opuntia humifusa is native to Mexico and can be found in the states of Chihuahua, Sonora, and Durango.

Opuntia humifusa FAQ

What are the common names for Opuntia humifusa?

Eastern Prickly Pear, Devil's Tongue, Low Prickly Pear

What is the natural habitat of Opuntia humifusa?

Opuntia humifusa is native to the eastern United States and Canada, from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Minnesota.

What is the growth rate of Opuntia humifusa?

Opuntia humifusa is a slow-growing plant, taking up to 10 years to reach its full size.

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,