Opuntia abjecta

Opuntia abjecta is a cactus found growing in the Florida Keys. Currently it is Listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.

Description

O. abjecta grows up to 15 cm tall on humus over limestone or even on bare limestone. Cladodes are typically 2.5 cm long by 4–5 cm long. The cladodes do not shatter, but do de-attach from each other with some ease. O. abjecta is a small plant with radiating branches, a subshrub. Retorse, barbed spines are reddish-brown as they develop and turn pale white as they mature. up to 3 spines are produced by terminal cladodes. Generally, the spines of O. abjecta are shorter than 4 cm. The flower bud of O. abjecta is rounded. O. abjecta has teardrop-shaped leaves. The seeds are about 4 mm in diameter.

Phylogeny

O. abjecta was mistakenly conflated with O. triacantha. Recent work shows that the two taxa are distinct. In addition to morphological and phylogenetic differences, O. triacantha occurs in Cuba, whereas O. abjecta occurs in Florida.