Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
tuna
ID:
386716

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Mill.

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
1768

Citation Micro:
Gard. Dict.: Opuntia No. 3. 1768.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000386048

Common Names

  • Opuntia tuna
  • Tuna Prickly Pear
  • Indian Fig Prickly Pear

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Synonyms

  • Opuntia megalantha Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia maidenii Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia ledienii A.Berger [unknown]
  • Opuntia flexibilis Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Opuntia humilis Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia jamaicensis Britton & Harris [unknown]
  • Opuntia horrida Salm-Dyck ex DC. [unknown]
  • Opuntia polyantha Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia spinaurea Karw. ex Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia coccinea Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Cactus horridus Salisb. [unknown]
  • Cactus humilis Haw. [unknown]
  • Cactus polyanthos Sims [unknown]
  • Cactus tuna L. [unknown]
  • Cactus tuna flava Sims [unknown]
  • Cactus opuntia tuna (L.) DC. [unknown]
  • Opuntia multiflora G.Nicholson [unknown]
  • Opuntia pseudotuna Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia tuna cubaguensis Gentry [unknown]
  • Opuntia tuna manse Orcutt [unknown]

Description

Opuntia tuna (also called Indian fig, among many other common names) is a perennial succulent cactus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has flat, oval-shaped pads with yellow or pink flowers, and yellow or red fruits. It grows in dry, sandy soils and can tolerate drought and heat.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia tuna is used as an ornamental plant, for erosion control, and as a source of food for wildlife.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Opuntia tuna has yellow flowers with red stripes. The seed is oval and black. The seedling is a small, green plant with small spines.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia tuna is a warm-growing cactus from the Americas. It prefers bright light and can be grown in a well-draining potting mix. Propagation is done by stem cuttings or by seed.

Where to Find Opuntia tuna

Opuntia tuna is native to Mexico and can be found in the deserts of the North American southwest.

Opuntia tuna FAQ

What is the scientific name of Opuntia tuna?

Opuntia tuna

What is the common name of Opuntia tuna?

Indian Fig Prickly Pear

What is the natural habitat of Opuntia tuna?

Dry, rocky areas of the southwestern United States

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.