Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
olmeca
ID:
391479

Status:
valid

Authors:
Pérez Crisanto, J.Reyes & F.Brachet

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
2004

Citation Micro:
in Cact. Suc. Mex. 50: 90. 2004.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000390811

Common Names

  • Olmeca Prickly Pear
  • Olmeca Cactus Pear
  • Opuntia olmeca

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Description

Opuntia olmeca (also called Olmec prickly pear, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae. It is native to Mexico, where it is found in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz. It typically grows in dry, sunny areas, such as tropical and subtropical dry forests.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia olmeca is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and for its medicinal properties. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, stomach pain, and skin diseases.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flowers of Opuntia olmeca are yellow and have a diameter of 1.5 cm. The seeds are small, black and have a diameter of 1 mm. The seedlings are small and have two cotyledons.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia olmeca can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Cuttings of side shoots in spring or summer. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Where to Find Opuntia olmeca

Opuntia olmeca is native to Mexico and can be found in the states of Baja California, Sonora, and Sinaloa.

Opuntia olmeca FAQ

What is the scientific name of Opuntia olmeca?

Opuntia olmeca

What is the common name of Opuntia olmeca?

Olmec Prickly Pear

What is the natural habitat of Opuntia olmeca?

Grassland and scrubland

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

Jerónimo Reyes: Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'J.Reyes' in the authors string.
Flavien Brachet (d.1910): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'F.Brachet' in the authors string.