Opuntiads of the USA

(by Joe Shaw and Dave Ferguson)

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Opuntia Country No. 1
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Opuntia Country No. 5

Opuntia Country with
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Northern Patagonia Cactus Trip

Opuntia turbinata Small 1933

Technical Description

Small shrubs: 30-50 cm in height, sometimes tall, Plant grows no more than 50 cm tall but is usually around 30 cm tall on average.

Cladodes: avocado green, surface shiny, 10-15 cm x (10)20-30 cm, 1-2 cm in thick, shape varible from round or suborbiculate to oval or obovate or sometimes rhomboid, margins rounded or smooth to somewhat serrate, areoles conspicuous typically not raised, leaves to 1 cm then shriveling to 3mm before dehiscence, leaves parallel to surface in direction of distal end of pad.

Glochids: yellow turning brown, later to near black, tightly bundled, to 4-5 mm.

Spines: to 3(4) cm, or lacking, 0-2 per areole, translucent yellow turning dull then to gray or gray-brown

Flowers: yellow, about 6 cm in diameter

Fruit: 3.5 to 5 cm in length, pink or light purple, umbilicus typically concave (can be convex)

Seeds: 4-5 mm diameter, round or inequilateral.

Opuntia turbinata Small 1903

Colonies of Opuntia turbinata can be found in northeast Florida, especially in coastal northeast Nassau County. The species can also be found Duval County, FL and in coastal southeastern Georgia. Opuntia turbinata produces two types of growth: 1) horizontal-growing, and soil-hugging cladodes create a diffuse pattern, and 2) erect stems that eventually arise from the horizonatal stems. Over time the cladodes of the horizontal stems thicken and lignify extensively, and may even become deeply buried in beach sand. The erect stems are composed of smaller cladodes and seldom reach a meter in height; typically such stems are 50 cm or less. Essentially all of the flowering occurs on the erect stems.

In contrast, O. ammophila, which has been confused with O. turbinata, commonly has a discernable central trunk. The two species can be differentiated in other ways.

Because this species confined to a very small geographical area it is a candidate for consideration as and an endangered species. I just hope that this species will be around for future generations to study and enjoy.

O. turbinata pad, showing relative thickness of pad and few spines.

O. turbinata, erect cladoes frum mostly buried horizontal "first growth."

O turbinata, erect cladoes arising from buried horizonal branches.

O. turbinata, flower and buds.

O. turbinata, ripe fruit on erect stem.

O. turbinata, diffuse horizontal branches, such plants keep growing horizonally for years, eventually they may become buried. Eventually, erect, flower-bearing cladoes arize 30-50 cm (to 1 meter) from horiznal-growing branches.

O. turbinata, non-blooming horizontal branching cladodes. These are low to the ground and seldom flower, eventually, perhaps in many years time, more vertically erect branches consisting of several cladoes will be produced. Flowers are typically only produced on such vertical branches.

Circular O. turbinata pad with dentate margins.