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Brasiliopuntia

Scientific Name: Brasiliopuntia

Family: Cactaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis

Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis is a unique cactus species, often referred to as the Brazilian pricklypear.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis (Willd.) A.Berger
  • Family: Cactaceae (Cactus family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms:
    • Cactus brasiliensis Willd.
    • Opuntia brasiliensis (Willd.) Haw.
  • Subspecies:
    • Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis subsp. subacarpa (Rizzini &amp A.Mattos) P.J.Braun
    • Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis var. minor Y.It
  • Alternative Names:
    • Brasiliopuntia neoargentina Backeb. (synonym)
    • Brasiliopuntia bahiensis (Britton &amp Rose) A. Berger (synonym)
    • Brasiliopuntia schulzii (A. Cast. &amp H.V. Lelong) (synonym)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South America.
  • Specifically found in Brazil (western Paraba, eastern), Paraguay, eastern Bolivia, Peru and Northern Argentina.
  • Also reported to have become naturalized in Florida.
  • It is a forest species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It grows with a tree-like habit.

Quirky Facts

  • The name Brasiliopuntia means Brazilian Opuntia.
  • In Tupi language, it is called "Iamacar" meaning "stem or trunk with a bundle of thorns that bears fruit".

Further Information

  • Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • The Plant List
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Tropicos - Madidi Checklist (Bolivia)
  • Discover Life