Opuntia lutea

Botanical Description

Opuntia lutea is a spiny, tree-like cactus with spreading branches, segmented stems and a distinct short trunk; it can grow up to 5 metres tall. Individual stem segments are around 10 - 22cm long[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. , 1996 Title Las Cactáceae de Guatemala Publication Author Véliz M.E. Publisher Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala Year 2008 ISBN 99922-2-551-3 Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is also grown as a living fence where it acts as a boundary marker and barrier. There is insufficient information on what is happening to Opuntia lutea in the Guatemala and Honduras parts of its range. It qualifies for a threatened status in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua because of the small population size. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].