Opuntia quimilo

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Wikipedia

Opuntia quimilo
Opuntia quimilo at the Jardin botanique de Lyon, in France.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. quimilo
Binomial name
Opuntia quimilo

Opuntia quimilo is a tree cactus and flowering plant species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is found in north-central Argentina and is widespread in Bolivia.[3]

Description

Opuntia quimilo grows as a multi-branched tree with a clearly identifiable stem, reaching a height of up to ten meters. The large, elliptical to oblong sections are glossy, greenish-grey, and measure up to 50 centimeters long, 25 centimeters wide, and 2 to 3 cm thick. The flowers, which are red or orange, are up to 7 centimeters in diameter. The fruits are pear-shaped to spherical, greenish-yellow, and 5–7 cm long.[citation needed]

Ecology

It is pollinated by bees of the genera: Arhysosage, Augochloropsis, Megachile, Lithurgus, Xylocopa, Tetrapedia, Melipona and the species Ptilothrix tricolor, Diadasia patagonica, Bombus morio, Apis mellifera and Polybia ignobilis. It is also pollinated by hummingbird species Heliomaster furcifer and Chlorostilbon lucidus.[4]

It is assessed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.[1]

Taxonomy

Opuntia quimilo was described by Karl Moritz Schumann and published in Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 746. 1898.[2][5]

Etymology

Opuntia: generic name coming from the Greek used by Pliny the Elder for a plant that grew around the city of Opus in Greece.[6]

quimilo: epithet derived from the common name "quimilo" used by locals to describe the species.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Oakley, L.; Pin, A. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Opuntia quimilo". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T152688A121604809. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152688A121604809.en.
  2. 1 2 K. Schum. (1898). In: Kuntze, Rev. Gen. 3(2): 107.
  3. ↑ "Opuntia quimilo". cactiguide.com, On-line Guide to the positive identification of Members of the Cactus Family. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  4. ↑ Díaz, L.; Cocucci, A. A. (September 2003). "Functional Gynodioecy in Opuntia quimilo (Cactaceae), a Tree Cactus Pollinated by Bees and Hummingbirds". Plant Biology. 5 (5): 531–539. Bibcode:2003PlBio...5..531D. doi:10.1055/s-2003-44783. ISSN 1435-8603.
  5. ↑ "Opuntia quimilo". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
  6. 1 2 "Page O". calflora.net. Retrieved 2025-09-22.