Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
militaris
ID:
1220376

Status:
valid

Authors:
Britton & Rose

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
1919

Citation Micro:
Cactaceae 1: 104, f. 127. 1919.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001219714

Common Names

  • Opuntia Militaris
  • Militaris Opuntia
  • Military Opuntia

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Description

Opuntia militaris (also called Prickly Pear, among many other common names) is a large succulent native to Mexico. It has a spreading rootstock and its leaves are lanceolate and sessile. It grows in dry deserts, woodlands, and along streams.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia militaris is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat fever, malaria, and other ailments.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Opuntia militaris has small, yellow flowers that are clustered in groups of three. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings have small, oval-shaped leaves that are covered with small, white spines.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia militaris is a perennial cactus that can be propagated by offsets or cuttings. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C (5°F). It can be propagated by offsets or cuttings in spring or autumn.

Where to Find Opuntia militaris

Opuntia militaris is native to China and can be found in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan.

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,