Species Data
Common Name
Prickly pear cactus
Scientific Name
Opuntia echios
Spanish Name
Chumbera
Conservation Status
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.
Prickly Pear Cactus features on these pages:
For further information you can visit: