Opuntia
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Cactaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Genus Description - Erect, creeping shrubs to small trees with jointed flattened stems or trees with an erect cylindrical trunk, usually covered clusters of long spines. Joints succulent, variously shaped, usually longer than wide, with cluster of acicular spines and glochids surrounding the areoles. Leaves minute and early deciduous. Flowers solitary and sessile, usually along joint margins. Receptacle green, usually with clusters of spines and glochids; hypanthium forming a short tube; perianth segments petal-like and spreading; stamens numerous, usually shorter than the perianth, but seldom projecting beyond; style stout, the stigmas numerous, filiform. Fruit fleshy, with numerous seeds, each surrounded by an aril.