Prickly Pear Cactus

  • Galapagos Wildlife: Opuntia © GCT

    Opuntia © GCT

  • Galapagos Wildlife: Opuntia © GCT

    Opuntia © GCT

  • Galapagos Wildlife: Prickly Pear Cactus in flower © GCT

    Prickly Pear Cactus in flower © GCT

Species Data

Common Name Prickly pear cactus
Scientific Name Opuntia echios
Spanish Name Chumbera
Conservation Status

Galapagos Graphics: IUCN Red List Unknown © Dan Wright

Unknown

Endemic/Native/Introduced

Native

Size Up to 12 m
Plant Class Angiosperm
Habitat Zone Hot, humid environments
Seed Dispersal Method Animals such as small birds and iguanas eat the fruit and distribute seeds
Uses Food, medicine, intoxicant, dye production

Species Overview

Prickly pear cacti are very well adapted to the dry and barren conditions of Galapagos, storing water in their thick and fleshy stems. There are 14 different varieties of Opuntia in Galapagos, the tallest of which grows to a height of 12 m. Some varieties grow a tough bark on their stems as well as strong spikes to prevent predators, such as tortoises and land iguanas, from eating them.

 

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