Family Cactaceae | Rank Species | |
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Scientific name Austrocylindropuntia subulata Similar Austrocylindropuntia, Cactus, Cylindropuntia, Opuntia microdasys, Opuntia monacantha | ||
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f monstrosa
Austrocylindropuntia subulata is a species of cactus native to the Peruvian Andes.
Contents
- Austrocylindropuntia subulata f monstrosa
- Austrocylindropuntia subulata
- Description
- Classification
- References
The name subulata comes from the Latin subulate, for awl-like, referring to the shape of the rudimentary leaves. It has the common names "Eve's pin" and "Eve's needle."
Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Description
Austrocylindropuntia subulata can reach heights up to 4 meters, with numerous branches. The elongated, slightly brittle branches are up to 50 centimeters long. The stems are marked by rhomboid to ovate bumps in a few spiral rows. At the tip of each bump is the areole, from which grow one to four straight, grayish-white spines up to 8 centimeters long. The awl-like rudimentary leaves are up to 12 centimeters long.
Flowers are up to 6 centimeters long. The long, warty hypanthium is covered by rudimentary leaves up to 2 centimeters long. The fruit are ovoid or club-like and sometimes thorny. They are up to 10 centimeters long.
Classification
The first description as Pereskia subulata took place in 1845 by Friedrich Mühlenpfordt. Curt Backeberg classified it in the genus Austrocylindropuntia in 1942.
