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Opuntia × alta

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Opuntia × alta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. × alta
Binomial name
Opuntia × alta
Griffiths (1910)
Synonyms[1]

Opuntia engelmannii var. alta (Griffiths) D.Weniger (1970)

Opuntia alta is a cactus species in the genus Opuntia. It is a large plant, with some older specimens forming trees to 4.6 metres (15 ft) tall.[2] It is a naturally-occurring hybrid of Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri and O. stricta native to Texas and Louisiana.[1]

Identification

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It resembles Opuntia lindheimeri, and immature specimens can be mistaken for that taxon.[3] Mature O. alta plants form discrete trunks and have small fruits. Unlike O. lindheimeri, the flowers have pale stigmas.

Opuntia alta is probably closely related to Opuntia cacanapa, which grows further inland.

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References

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  1. ^ a b Opuntia × alta Griffiths. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Opuntia alta". Opuntiads. 24 December 2011.
  3. ^ Griffiths, David (1910). "Illustrated studies in the genus Opuntia III" (PDF). Missouri Botanical Garden Annual Report. 21: 165–166. doi:10.2307/2400129. JSTOR 2400129. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
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