Opuntia quimilo
Species of tree cactus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Opuntia quimilo is a tree cactus and flowering plant species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is found in north-central Argentina and is widespread in Bolivia.[3]
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| Opuntia quimilo | |
|---|---|
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| Opuntia quimilo at the Jardin botanique de Lyon, in France. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Genus: | Opuntia |
| Species: | O. quimilo |
| Binomial name | |
| Opuntia quimilo | |
Description
Opuntia quimilo grows as a multi-branched tree with a clearly identifiable stem, reaching a height of up to ten meters. The large, elliptical to oblong sections are glossy, greenish-grey, and measure up to 50 centimeters long, 25 centimeters wide, and 2 to 3 cm thick. The flowers, which are red or orange, are up to 7 centimeters in diameter. The fruits are pear-shaped to spherical, greenish-yellow, and 5–7 cm long.[citation needed]
Ecology
It is pollinated by bees of the genera: Arhysosage, Augochloropsis, Megachile, Lithurgus, Xylocopa, Tetrapedia, Melipona and the species Ptilothrix tricolor, Diadasia patagonica, Bombus morio, Apis mellifera and Polybia ignobilis. It is also pollinated by hummingbird species Heliomaster furcifer and Chlorostilbon lucidus.[4]
It is assessed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.[1]
Taxonomy
Opuntia quimilo was described by Karl Moritz Schumann and published in Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 746. 1898.[2][5]
Etymology
Opuntia: generic name coming from the Greek used by Pliny the Elder for a plant that grew around the city of Opus in Greece.[6]
quimilo: epithet derived from the common name "quimilo" used by locals to describe the species.[6]