CPC National Collection Plant Profile
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Opuntia triacantha
Family: |
Cactaceae |
Common Names: |
Big Pine Key prickly-pear, jumping prickly apple |
Author: |
(Willdenow) Sweet |
Growth Habit: |
Succulent Perennial |
CPC
Number: |
3032 |
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Primary
custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered
Plants is: |
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Jennifer Possley contributed to this Plant Profile. |
Opuntia triacantha
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Opuntia triacantha is a prickly pear cactus native to the Florida Keys and islands of the Caribbean (Britton and Rose 2000). The stems of this low-growing cactus have strongly-barbed spines, and are flattened and nearly prostrate, with loosely attached joints, giving the impression that is has fallen over (Benson 1982). Flower petals are pale yellow, and fruits are red or purple (Coile 2000). There is very little published information on this species, and there has been no scientific research of which we are aware.
Distribution
& Occurrence |
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State Range
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Florida
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands |
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Habitat
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*Sandy areas back of beach on old limestone of reefs, just above sea level (Benson 1982).
*Flats or low hills, not very far inland (Britton and Rose 1920). |
Distribution
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The Florida Keys, Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Lesser Antilles (Benson 1982). |
Number Left
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There are three known populations in the Florida Keys.
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State/Area
Protection
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State/Area |
Rank |
Status |
Date |
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Conservation,
Ecology & Research |
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Ecological
Relationships
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No ecological relationships are yet known.
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Threats
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As with all rare plants in the Keys, development is a major threat. A second cause for concern is predation by the non-native cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Johnson and Stiling 1996).
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Current Research Summary
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We are aware of no current (or past) research conducted on this species.
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Current Management Summary
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Responsible agencies include the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, National Key Deer Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, private landowners. The FDEP regularly monitors populations on its lands.
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Research Management Needs
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Research is needed on reproduction, phenology, and life history. In addition, the effects of light levels and salinity could aid in determining the best locations for outplanting.
Regular monitoring is needed on federal and private lands.
A census of all populations is needed.
Outplantings should be conducted to increase population size.
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Ex Situ Needs
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If outplantings are to be conducted, pads should be collected and propagated. Ideal outplanting sites, on which the plant is currently or was historically found, should be located. |
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Books (Single Authors)
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Benson, L. 1982. The Cacti of the United States and Canada. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. 1044p.
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Britton, N.L.; Rose, J.N. 1920. The Cactaceae: descriptions and illustrations of plants of the cactus family. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
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Coile, N.C. 2000. Notes on Florida's Regulated Plant Index (Rule 5B-40), Botany Contribution 38. Gainesville, Florida: Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry.
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Journal Articles
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Johnson, D.; Stiling, P.D. 1996. Host specificity of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an exotic Opuntia-feeding moth, in Florida. Environmental Entomology. 25, 4: 743-748.
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This
profile was updated on 3/4/2010 |
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