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Consolea
Consolea is a genus of cacti named after Italian botanist Michelangelo Console.
Considerations for Pets
- As members of the Opuntiad group, Consolea typically exhibit pads and potential spines or glochids (small, barbed bristles).
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Cactaceae
- Genus: Consolea Lem.
- Synonyms/Alternative Names:
- Consolea Lemaire, 1862 (Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Caribbean and Florida.
- Occurs in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Puerto Rico (including Mona Island, Culebra, and Desecheo).
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Small-tree-like plants, reaching up to 20 feet tall.
- Start as flat pads.
- Consolea millspaughii can grow up to 4 m in height with a round trunk to 10 cm in diameter.
Species within the Genus
- Currently, 10 accepted species are recognized within the genus Consolea.
- Examples include:
- Consolea corallicola (Florida semaphore cactus, semaphore pricklypear) - endemic to Florida.
- Consolea moniliformis
- Consolea rubescens (Road Kill Cactus)
- Consolea falcata (Synonym: Opuntia falcata)
- Consolea elata
- Two subspecies of Consolea nashii are now recognized: Consolea nashii subsp. gibarensis.
Synonymy
- Consolea bahamana is a synonym of Opuntia stricta (Coastal Prickly Pear).
- Consolea macracantha (Griseb.) A.Berger. has been treated as synonymous with Consolea moniliformis.
Genetic Information
- Studies have investigated chromosome numbers and DNA content in Consolea species, revealing polyploidy.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Some species are cryptically dioecious.
Further Information
- BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Consolea%20corallicola
- ITIS Web Link