Opuntia keyensis Britton ex Small. Phenology: Apr-Jun; Aug-Dec (-Feb). Habitat: Coastal strand, occasionally in water-logged saline soils of mangroves or on margins of mangrove swamps or hammocks. Distribution: Endemic to s. FL.
ID notes: The short, subulate spines of O. keyensis give the appearance of the plant being unarmed until closer inspection.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: The taxonomy of Opuntia is extremely complex; this species is treated here based upon stark morphological distinctions, the field experience of the authors, and in hopes of wider recognition and conservation of this entity which is likely to be critically imperiled. However, more data is needed to determine with confidence the relationships and validity of this taxon.
Synonymy ⓘ: = S, Britton & Rose (1937); < Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. — WH3. Basionym: Opuntia keyensis Britton ex Small 1919
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.
© Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Turner Brockman source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷
© Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Turner Brockman source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷
© Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Turner Brockman source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷
© Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Turner Brockman source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷
© Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Turner Brockman source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷
© Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Turner Brockman source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷Feedback
See something missing or incorrect about Opuntia keyensis? Let us know here:
- Please include your name and if possible, email in case when need to clarify what you wrote.
- If you opt out of including email, please be as specific as possible (e.g., which photo is incorrect?)
- Please do not submit questions asking to identify plants or about horticultural topics (e.g., how do I control an invasive plant in my garden?). Instead, those questions can be submitted here for the Carolinas region only.
- Please do not send us feedback about unkeyed species as this work is ongoing.
- Please allow time for flora edits to show in our next data release. We greatly appreciate your feedback but may require extra time to research complicated taxonomic issues.
Horticultural Information
No horticultural data found for this taxon.