devil's-tongue

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's-tongue
• Eastern Prickly-pear
• creeping prickly-pear
• creeping-pear
• large-flower prickly-pear
• low prickly-pear
• smooth prickly-pear
• devil's tongue
• eastern prickly pear
• large-flowered prickly pear
• low pricklypear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Opuntia turbinata
• Opuntia humifusa var. parva
• Opuntia humifusa f. jeollaensis
• Opuntia italica
• Opuntia intermedia
• Opuntia prostrata
• Opuntia calcicola
• Opuntia allairei
• Cactus humifusus
• Opuntia rafinesquei var. parva
• Opuntia compressa var. allairei
• Opuntia compressa var. humifusa
• Opuntia vulgaris var. major
• Opuntia vulgaris var. media
• Opuntia intermedia var. prostrata
• Opuntia rafinesquiana
• Cactus italicus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it falls under the family Cactaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Opuntia, specifically as the species Opuntia humifusa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found within the borders of Austria. The species also extends its range to include Germany and the Netherlands. Finally, its distribution continues through the mountainous landscapes of Switzerland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Opuntia humifusa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1650 m AMSL. This species is highly adaptable to diverse environments, commonly inhabiting bushland, coastal bluffs, and roadsides, and it is noted as an introduced species in various regions. To survive within these habitats and protect its tissues from herbivory, the plant employs active defense mechanisms.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

bushland, coastal bluffs, roadsides; introduced

Life history

The life history of Opuntia humifusa is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions over time. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, it is categorized as a chamaephyte, a life form that typically keeps its buds close to the soil surface, which provides a survival advantage in various terrains. This chamaephyte designation is consistent across its morphological descriptions, defining its ability to maintain low-growing, spreading structures that can endure different ecological stressors throughout its long-lived life cycle.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Opuntia humifusa is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as a self-supporting organism. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant's stature is variable, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 5 m, though it typically reaches a mean height of approximately 3 m. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature and its ability to remain self-supporting without the need for climbing or vining mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Opuntia humifusa is characterized by a specific set of morphological and metabolic parameters that define its survival strategy. The plant exhibits a photosynthetic pathway categorized as C3, which influences its carbon fixation processes and gas exchange efficiency. In terms of its foliage characteristics, the leaf dimensions are strictly defined, with a leaf length ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 5 cm and a maximum of 9 cm. Despite being a member of the cactus family, this specific profile indicates that the trait for succulence is classified as no, distinguishing its physiological water-storage expression from other highly succulent species in its genus.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Opuntia humifusa is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in June and concludes in July. During this stage, the plant produces fleshy, red-colored fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed development. These fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a mean of 6.3 cm (reaching a maximum of 5 cm in some recorded instances, though the mean suggests a broader distribution), and widths averaging 3.8 cm with a maximum of 1.5 cm. The seeds contained within these fleshy fruits are relatively uniform in volume, maintaining a consistent measurement of 31 mm³, whether measured at their minimum, maximum, or mean. In terms of mass, the seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.0274925 g, a minimum of 0.025 g, and a maximum of 0.03057 g, while their length reaches a maximum of 4 mm. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they rely on animals for distribution, which is a common evolutionary strategy for fleshy-fruited cacti to ensure successful propagation.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

red

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

6.3 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

3.8 cm

Seed length max:

4 mm

Seed mass max:

0.03057 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0274925 g

Seed mass min:

0.025 g

Seed volume max:

31 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Opuntia humifusa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include catechol.

catechol

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Activities

Opuntia humifusa has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal.

Antifungal

1. Microbiological research

Preparations

Opuntia humifusa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include water partitioned fraction.

Water partitioned fraction

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)