Opuntia cochenillifera (Linnaeus) P. Miller. Cochineal Nopal Cactus, Tunita. Phen: Feb-Apr; May-Aug. Hab: Disturbed areas, persistent and escaping from cultivation; native to central America and Mexico. Dist: Occasionally growing as an escape in n. FL (and throughout FL peninsula), where it is commonly cultivated. Reported for s. FL in Broward County (Lange, Bradley, & Sadle [in prep.]).
ID notes: A tall shrub or more commonly tree-forming species, which is hummingbird-pollinated.
Origin/Endemic status: Neotropics
Syn: = Bah, Fl5, K4; = Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck – FNA4, K3, Britton & Rose (1937)
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷