Opuntia littoralis
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| File:Opuntia littoralis var vaseyi 5.jpg | |
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O. littoralis
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| Binomial name | |
| Opuntia littoralis (Engelm.) Cockerell
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Opuntia littoralis is a species of prickly pear cactus known by the common name coastal pricklypear. It is sometimes called the sprawling prickly pear due to its short stems and habit of growing close to the ground. "Littoral" means "pertaining to the seashore".[1]
Distribution
Opuntia littoralis is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub[1] and chaparral habitats. The cactus is variable in appearance; there are several varieties and hybrids with similar species are commonly found.
Description
Opuntia littoralis generally grows in dense clumps spreading several meters wide and up to a meter-3 feet tall. The branches are made up of oval-shaped flat segments up to 22 centimetres (8.7 in) long. It is covered in clusters of yellowish spines 2 to 4 centimetres (0.79 to 1.57 in) long. The flowers are pale yellow[1] or red,[citation needed] occurring in May to June.[1] The fruit is purplish red and up to 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long. The fruit is edible.[1]
See also
- California coastal sage and chaparral - (subecoregion)
References
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<references />, or <references group="..." />External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Opuntia littoralis. |
- CalFlora Database — Opuntia littoralis
- Jepson Manual Treatment: Opuntia littoralis
- USDA Plants Profile: Opuntia littoralis (coast prickly pear)
- Flora of North America: Opuntia littoralis
- Opuntia littoralis Photo gallery
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- Opuntia
- Cacti of Mexico
- Cacti of the United States
- Flora of California
- Flora of Baja California
- Desert fruit
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the Channel Islands of California
- Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
- Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
- Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
- Cactus stubs
