Salmonopuntia schickendantzii

Stem and flower structure

The description from 2021 gives a height of 0,5–1 m, exceptionally 1,5 m. The woody main stem reaches 5 cm in diameter. Flattened lateral stems measure 10–20 × 2–5 cm. The epidermis is grey-green with a glaucous coating. White-grey spines are 0,5–3 cm long and more conspicuous on the main axis. Leaves 3–6 mm long fall off quickly. [Köhler et al. 2021]

Buds have a pointed, reddening tip. When open, the flower reaches 2–3 cm in diameter, exceptionally 4 cm. The perianth is bright yellow, the stamens pale yellow, the style white, and the green stigma has 5–6 lobes. [Köhler et al. 2021]

Seed-bearing fruits and propagules

The globular fruits are 1,5–2,5 cm in diameter and dark purple to reddish when ripe. They contain up to 60–70 seeds, measuring 3–5 × 3 mm. The embryo is hook-shaped. Alongside seed-bearing fruits, green, immature or sterile fruits form and participate in clonal recruitment after falling to the ground. [Köhler et al. 2021]

Mountain range

The revision lists the Argentine provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta and Tucumán, and the Bolivian departments of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca and Tarija. Plants were recorded at 1000–2000 m above sea level, mainly on slopes and cliffs. [Köhler et al. 2021]

Name changes and identification of material

The current name was published in 2021. Earlier combinations included Opuntia schickendantzii, Austrocylindropuntia schickendantzii, Brasiliopuntia schickendantzii and Mortolopuntia schickendantzii. POWO also places Opuntia cochabambensis and Platyopuntia conjungens in the synonymy. [2-WWW]

A different plant, “Lion’s Tongue”, was also cultivated under the name Opuntia schickendantzii. Köhler and Font described it as Opuntia leoglossa, with long, tongue-shaped segments and sparse armature. Cultivation reports and some earlier sites in Spain and Australia corrected in 2021 refer to this taxon. The distinction concerns plant identification and interpretation of earlier molecular results. [Köhler and Font 2021]