Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
stricta
ID:
386423

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Haw.) Haw.

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
1812

Citation Micro:
Syn. Pl. Succ.: 191. 1812.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000385755

Common Names

  • Opuntia Stricta
  • Prickly Pear
  • Stricta Cactus

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Synonyms

  • Opuntia maritima Raf. [unknown]
  • Opuntia longiclada Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia parva A.Berger [unknown]
  • Opuntia brunnescens Britton & Rose [unknown]
  • Opuntia balearica F.A.C.Weber ex Hirscht [unknown]
  • Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia airampo Phil. [valid]
  • Opuntia bartramii Raf. [unknown]
  • Opuntia stricta dillenii (Ker Gawl.) L.D.Benson [unknown]
  • Pilocereus flavispinus Rümpler [unknown]
  • Cactus chilensis Colla [unknown]
  • Cactus chinensis Roxb. [unknown]
  • Cactus dillenii Ker Gawl. [unknown]
  • Cactus indicus Roxb. [unknown]
  • Cactus strictus Haw. [unknown]
  • Cactus opuntia inermis DC. [unknown]
  • Opuntia chinensis (Roxb.) K.Koch [unknown]
  • Opuntia magnifica Small [unknown]
  • Opuntia tunoidea Gibbes [unknown]
  • Opuntia zebrina Small [unknown]
  • Opuntia stricta stricta [unknown]
  • Opuntia keyensis Britton ex Small [unknown]
  • Opuntia tenuiflora Small [unknown]
  • Opuntia bentonii Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia melanosperma Svenson [unknown]
  • Opuntia inermis (DC.) DC. [unknown]
  • Opuntia anahuacensis Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia nejapensis Bravo [unknown]
  • Opuntia dillenii minor Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia dillenii orbiculata Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia dillenii reitzii Scheinvar [unknown]
  • Opuntia stricta esparzae Scheinvar [unknown]
  • Opuntia stricta reitzii (Scheinvar) Scheinvar & A.Rodr. [unknown]
  • Opuntia vulgaris balaerica F.A.C.Weber [unknown]

Description

Opuntia stricta (also called Stiff Prickly Pear, among many other common names) is a small shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has small, yellow flowers and its leaves are oval-shaped and have a greyish-green hue. It is found in dry, desert habitats and is adapted to survive in the arid conditions of the region.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia stricta is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used as a groundcover and for erosion control. Its leaves are used in traditional medicine for treating fever, headache, and stomach ailments.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Opuntia stricta has yellow flowers with red centers and green seed pods that contain small black seeds. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with a few leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia stricta is a perennial cactus that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C (14°F). It can be pruned to maintain a desired shape and size.

Where to Find Opuntia stricta

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

Opuntia stricta FAQ

What is the scientific name of Opuntia stricta?

Opuntia stricta

What is the common name of Opuntia stricta?

Upright Prickly Pear

Where is Opuntia stricta native to?

North 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,