Pancake Pricklypear

opuntia chlorotica

The Pancake Pricklypear (Opuntia chlorotica) is a striking, tree-like cactus native to the arid mountains and rocky canyons of the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Known for its upright growth and unique circular pads, this hardy plant acts as a vital sanctuary and hydration source for desert wildlife. Its brilliant yellow flowers bloom in late spring, transforming the dry landscape with bursts of color and attracting a diverse array of pollinators. As a resilient desert survivor, it has evolved complex adaptations to thrive under intense heat and minimal rainfall, making it an iconic and fascinating component of desert ecosystems.

生息地: Typically found on dry, rocky slopes, canyon walls, and desert mountain foothills at elevations between 600 and 1,800 meters.

外見

This cactus grows as an upright, bushy shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 100 to 250 centimeters. It is easily identified by its extremely round, flat, pancake-like pads which are pale yellow-green in color. The pads are densely covered in clusters of sharp, bright yellow spines that typically point downwards. In spring, it produces beautiful, cup-shaped yellow flowers that are often tinged with red at the base, followed by fleshy, spherical fruits that ripen to a reddish-purple hue.

界Plantae門Tracheophyta綱Magnoliopsida目Caryophyllales科Cactaceae属Opuntia

Pancake Pricklypear

カテゴリ

植物

レア度

Common

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

スナップ

最初にスナップしよう！

おもしろい事実

During freezing winters, the pads can produce high concentrations of sugars that act as a natural antifreeze.

Its common name comes from the remarkably flat, round shape of its pads, which resemble a stack of green pancakes.

The brilliant yellow spines point downward, a clever adaptation that helps channel scarce rainwater directly toward the root zone.

特殊能力

Absorbs carbon dioxide exclusively at night to drastically reduce water loss through transpiration during the scorching desert days.

Deploys microscopic, easily detached barbed hairs called glochids that cause severe irritation to herbivore mouthparts.

Can safely lose a massive percentage of its water volume during droughts, shriveling its pads without damaging its internal tissues.

サイズと詳細

長さ: 100-250 cm
体重: 5-60 kg
寿命: 20-50 年

食性と食事

As an autotrophic plant, it manufactures its own organic compounds and energy through photosynthesis utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and soil moisture.

主な食物

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

生態系とのつながり

host plant

Cactus Wren

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

Nests within the sharp spines of the cactus pads to protect its eggs and chicks from ground predators.

eaten by

Desert Bighorn Sheep

Ovis canadensis nelsoni

Feeds on the moisture-rich pads and nutritious fruits, carefully navigating around the dense spines.

mutualism

Sonoran Bumblebee

Bombus sonorus

Feeds on the sugary nectar of the yellow flowers, assisting the cactus in cross-pollination.

特徴

このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。

別名

まだ別名はありません。

コレクション

テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。

安全性

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。

よくある質問

Pancake Pricklypearを見分けるには？

Pancake Pricklypearを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。

Pancake Pricklypearの長さは何ですか？

100-250 cm

Pancake Pricklypearの体重は何ですか？

5-60 kg

Pancake Pricklypearの寿命は何ですか？

20-50 年

Pancake Pricklypearは何を食べますか？

As an autotrophic plant, it manufactures its own organic compounds and energy through photosynthesis utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and soil moisture.

Pancake Pricklypearは通常どこに生息していますか？

Typically found on dry, rocky slopes, canyon walls, and desert mountain foothills at elevations between 600 and 1,800 meters.