Opuntia cacanapa (Opuntia cacanapa)
Description
Opuntia cacanapa is a cactus in the Opuntia genus. In the United States it is found on the South Texas Plains in Brewster County and adjacent counties to the southeast. It also occurs in nearby Mexico. The plants are variable in size, but can form shrubby trees from 1 to 2 m tall. They grow intermixed with other shrubs and small trees. The glaucous pads are pale and not dark green. Cladodes are 15 to 20 cm long and may be elliptical, obovate, or even subcircular. The flowers are a rich, canary yellow and have a prominent green stigma. The leaves are notable because they recurve strongly. 'Ellisiana' is a special selection of O. cacanapa that has no spines and no glochids. Thus, it is smooth to the touch. It is moderately cold hardy and is used in cactus gardens as far north as northern Virginia.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class:
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Cactaceae
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Genus: Opuntia
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