Opuntia karwinskiana
Salm-Dyck
Cactaceae
Some authorities classify this species as Nopalea karwinskiana[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Nopalea karwinskiana (Salm-Dyck) K.Schum.
Common Name:
General Information
Opuntia karwinskiana is an evergreen, succulent shrub or small tree growing around 2 metres tall.
The root is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. The plant is also cultivated as a hedge.
Known Hazards
Species in this genus generally have numerous minutely barbed glochids (hairs) that are easily dislodged when the plant is touched and they then become stuck to the skin where they are difficult to see and remove. They can cause considerable discomfort[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Botanical References
529- Title
- The Cactaceae
- Publication
-
- Author
- Britton N.L. & Rose J.N.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- The Carnegie Institution of Washington; Washington.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An immense work in 4 volumes. Many of the botanical names are out of date, of course, but the book contains a wealth of information about the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
Central America - Mexico.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The root is used in the treatment of dysentery[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is grown as a hedge[
]. The spiny stems act as an effective stock-proof barrier[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
