Systematics

Description

Distribution & Habitat

Culture

Propagation

Uses

Scientific Name

Opuntia vestita

 

Common Name

Knobby Cactus

Taxonomy  

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylem: Angiospermae

Class: Magnoliopsidae

Subclass: Caryophyllidae

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Cactacaea

Genus: Opuntia

Species: Vestita

 

Reference for Systematics: http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/angio/www/ident.htm

Description: Opuntia is the largest group of Cacti containing over 360 species. These species are divided into two different groups. These groups are Platyopuntia which is commonly known as the Prickly Pears and the Cylindropuntia which are called Chollas. The Knobby Cactus is grouped as a Cholla because of its long cylindrical joints. The cactus is semi-erect or sprawling with pale-green, warty joints up to 50cm long and 2-3cm thick. The areoles have white glochids, the upper ones bearing leaves about 1cm long. There are between four and eight spines that are up to 2 cm long surrounded by numerous fine white hairs which envelop the stems. The flowers are approximately 4cm wide and are red.

Reference for Descriptive Information: www.cactioftheworld.com

 Cultural Information

Soil · When grown indoors: 2 parts sandy loam, 1part broken brick, 1 part sand

Water requirement · Soak and wait until soil is dry to water again

Light · Full sunlight
Humidity · Medium humidity
Temperature · Min 10C (50F)

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Reference for Cultural Information: www.botany.com

Propagation Methods:

Seed: Seeds can be planted in the spring or summer in pots of well-drained sandy soil half-filled with crocks and covered with rough siftings of compost. Level the surface and plant the seeds. Cover them with a thin layer of soil, moisten them, and cover the pot with a piece of glass. Place the pot in a greenhouse or sunny window until the seeds start to sprout and then remove the glass so they receicve full light and air.

Rooting from pieces: Any size piece of stem can be removed from an existing cactus and laid aside for a few hours until it forms a protective "skin" over the cut. After this the stem ccan be palced in a pot of sand or sandy soil. They should be placed somewhere that they will receive full sun and souldn't be watered until the soil becomes fairly dry. After this they can be kept moist, but never contsantly saturated

References for Propagation Methods: www.botany.com

Uses/ Fun Facts

 Opuntia make good house plants and many types of opuntia (mostly Prickly Pears) are edible and are very sweet and juicy when they are ripe. They can also be grown outside in mild, semi-desert or desert regions, however they grow very easily and unless they are controlled they can become pests that are very hard to get rid of.

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References for Uses and Fun Facts: www.botany.com

This page was developed by:

James Thompson, W&J Class of 2001

 

Last revised on 30April 2001