Opuntia
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Authority
Britton, Nathaniel L. & Millspaugh, Charles F. 1920. The Bahama Flora.
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Family
Cactaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Succulent plants, with jointed branching stems, the joints flat, or cylindric, and small, mostly subulate, deciduous leaves, the areolae usually spine-bearing. Flowers usually lateral. Calyx-tube not prolonged beyond the ovary, its lobes spreading. Petals numerous, slightly united at the base. Stamens very numerous. Ovary cylindric, exserted; style cylindric, longer than the stamens; stigma 2-7-rayed. Berry globose to obovoid, often spiny. [Named from a town in Greece where some species grew.] About 250 species, natives of America. Type species: Cactus Opuntia L.