Opuntia alta is a cactus species in the genus Opuntia. It is a large plant, with some older specimens forming trees to 4.6 metres (15 ft) tall.[2] It is a naturally-occurring hybrid of Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri and O. stricta native to Texas and Louisiana.[1]

Identification

It resembles Opuntia lindheimeri, and immature specimens can be mistaken for that taxon.[3] Mature O. alta plants form discrete trunks and have small fruits. Unlike O. lindheimeri, the flowers have pale stigmas.

Opuntia alta is probably closely related to Opuntia cacanapa, which grows further inland.

Gallery

  • Opuntia alta, South Texas Plains
    Opuntia alta, South Texas Plains

References

  1. ^ a b Opuntia × alta Griffiths. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Opuntia alta". Opuntiads. 24 December 2011.
  3. ^ Griffiths, David (1910). "Illustrated studies in the genus Opuntia III" (PDF). Missouri Botanical Garden Annual Report. 21: 165–166. doi:10.2307/2400129. JSTOR 2400129. Retrieved 23 June 2017.

External links