Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.
Accessed 2026-10-08.
Three opuntioid genera
Literature for the genera
Publications used in the profiles, with full bibliographic details and commentary.
Influencia de la luz en la germinación de semillas de 14 especies de cactáceas del Perú
Jara-Peña E., Quiroz A. J., Vela Arce M., Influencia de la luz en la germinación de semillas de 14 especies de cactáceas del Perú, Acta Botanica Mexicana, 2024, 131:e2273, doi: 10.21829/abm131.2024.2273
The experiment compares the germination of fourteen cacti in light and darkness. For Airampoa ayrampo (Tunilla soehrensii in the publication), it describes scarification and culture on an agar medium.
Parámetros alométricos y contenido de betalaínas en accesiones de ayrampo (Airampoa soehrensii) del Banco de Germoplasma del INIA, Perú
Dadther-Huaman H., Hilari-Hilari M. C., Gonzales-Hancco H., Jimenez-Paye A., Calla-Cornejo N., Pacheco-Lizarraga G. A., Parámetros alométricos y contenido de betalaínas en accesiones de ayrampo (Airampoa soehrensii) del Banco de Germoplasma del INIA, Perú, Bioagro, 2026, 38(2):263-274, doi: 10.51372/bioagro382.10
The study of thirteen fruiting accessions from Arequipa analyses fruit mass and betalain concentration. It distinguishes measurements of fresh fruit from those of the dry mass of pulp with seeds.
The validity of the genus Airampoa Frič (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae) and designation of a neotype
Kiesling R., Las Peñas M. L., Oakley L. J., The validity of the genus Airampoa Frič (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae) and designation of a neotype, Bradleya, 2025, 43:69-81, doi: 10.25223/brad.n43.2025.a9
The authors analyse the validity of the name Airampoa and designate a new neotype for A. aurata. They also present stem and glochid structure within their adopted taxonomic circumscription.
Airampoa picardoi, the correct name for Opuntia picardoi
Guiggi A., Airampoa picardoi, the correct name for Opuntia picardoi, Haseltonia, 2007, 13:89-90, doi: 10.2985/1070-0048(2007)13[89:APTCNF]2.0.CO;2
The publication corrects an earlier attempt to validate Tunilla picardoi following a change in the rules on typification. It documents the author's nomenclatural position in 2007.
Cacti from Northern Chile with potential for domestication: Morphological, chemical, and functional characterization of their fruits
Prat L., Pinto R., Apablaza E., Carmona J. C., Arancibia D., Muñoz C., Sáenz C., Cacti from Northern Chile with potential for domestication: Morphological, chemical, and functional characterization of their fruits, Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research, 2025, 85(2):232-244, doi: 10.4067/S0718-58392025000200232
The paper characterises the fruits of northern Chilean cacti, including Airampoa ayrampo. It brings together their traits, chemical composition and information about the plants and their habitats.
Pollen morphology of Austrocylindropuntia Backeb, Maihueniopsis Speg., Opuntia Mill. and Tephrocactus Lem. (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae) of Argentina
Garralla S., Cuadrado G. A., Pollen morphology of Austrocylindropuntia Backeb, Maihueniopsis Speg., Opuntia Mill. and Tephrocactus Lem. (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae) of Argentina, Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2007, 146(1–4):1-17, doi: 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2007.01.002
The study compares pollen under light and scanning microscopy using documented herbarium specimens. It examines exine ornamentation in plants described as Tunilla corrugata and Opuntia soehrensii, now associated with Airampoa corrugata and A. ayrampo respectively.
Pollen morphology of Cactaceae in Northern Chile
Miesen F., de Porras M. E., Maldonado A., Pollen morphology of Cactaceae in Northern Chile, Gayana Botánica, 2015, 72(2):258-271, doi: 10.4067/S0717-66432015000200010
The atlas presents the pollen of fourteen species from northern Chile under light microscopy. It includes a description of Airampoa ayrampo (Tunilla soehrensii in the publication).
Airampos: a review
Mottram R., Airampos: a review, Tephrocactus Study Group, 2004, 10(1):3-10
The review presents the history of ayrampo names and introductions to Europe. The author describes variation in plants and labels within his own single-species concept from 2004.
Stability of Betacyanin Pigments and Antioxidants in Ayrampo (Opuntia soehrensii Britton and Rose) Seed Extracts and as a Yogurt Natural Colorant
Caldas-Cueva J. P., Morales P., Ludeña F., Betalleluz-Pallardel I., Chirinos R., Noratto G., Campos D., Stability of Betacyanin Pigments and Antioxidants in Ayrampo (Opuntia soehrensii Britton and Rose) Seed Extracts and as a Yogurt Natural Colorant, Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 2016, 40(3):541-549, doi: 10.1111/jfpp.12633
The experiments examine the stability of pigment extracts and the colouring of yoghurt. The authors compare the effects of pH, temperature, product matrix and storage time.
Tunilla tilcarensis
Grätz S., Tunilla tilcarensis, Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten, 2009, 60(12):322
The short description of a cultivated form appeared in the column “Für Sie ausgewählt”. The account covers light, air movement, propagation from cuttings and an observation of the short-term effects of frost on the material described.
Royal Horticultural Society
Cultivation and plant protection guides. Horticultural recommendations are read with attention to species and cultivation conditions.
Accessed 2026-10-08.
Extraction of 2′-O-apiosyl-6′-O-crotonic acid-betanin from the ayrampo seed (Opuntia soehrensii) cuticle and its use as an emitting layer in an organic light-emitting diode
Rivera Tito H. A., Hernández-Sosa G., Romero-Nieto C., Regulska E., Jürgensen N., Zimmermann J., Salazar-Salinas K., Quintana Caceda M. E., Extraction of 2′-O-apiosyl-6′-O-crotonic acid-betanin from the ayrampo seed (Opuntia soehrensii) cuticle and its use as an emitting layer in an organic light-emitting diode, RSC Advances, 2020, 10(60):36695-36703, doi: 10.1039/d0ra05543c
The paper describes the isolation of a pigment from seed coverings and its use in an OLED prototype. The results concern light emission by the device using this material.
Betanin dye extracted from ayrampo (Opuntia soehrensii) seeds to develop dye-sensitized solar cells
Flint H. V., Rivera Tito H. A., James R. D., Cucinotta F., Gibson E., Quintana Caceda M. E., Betanin dye extracted from ayrampo (Opuntia soehrensii) seeds to develop dye-sensitized solar cells, RSC Advances, 2024, 14(14):9913-9919, doi: 10.1039/d3ra08010b
The paper examines solar cells sensitised with ayrampo dye on a TiO₂ electrode. It presents the device's characteristics under different lighting conditions.
cactusinhabitat
https://www.cactusinhabitat.org/
Field documentation by G. Anceschi and A. Magli. Observations of Airampoa erectoclada from Catamarca were used, retaining the classification adopted separately from POWO.
Accessed 2026-10-08.
In Sekundenschnelle. Sichtbare Bewegungen bei Kakteen
Frisch H., In Sekundenschnelle. Sichtbare Bewegungen bei Kakteen, Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten, 2013, 64(6):161-164
The account describes stamen movement in cultivation, including in a plant identified as Tunilla tilcarensis. It gives the response time and the time taken for stamens to return in the observed specimen.
Flora do Ceará, Brasil: Cactaceae
de Menezes M. O. T., Taylor N. P., Loiola M. I. B., Flora do Ceará, Brasil: Cactaceae, Rodriguésia, 2013, 64(4):757-774, doi: 10.1590/S2175-78602013000400007
The floristic treatment presents Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis using material from Ceará. It describes diagnostic traits, fruits and seeds, and an isolated population.
Phylogeny of Opuntia s.s. (Cactaceae): Clade delineation, geographic origins, and reticulate evolution
Majure L. C., Puente R., Griffith M. P., Judd W. S., Soltis P. S., Soltis D. E., Phylogeny of Opuntia s.s. (Cactaceae): Clade delineation, geographic origins, and reticulate evolution, American Journal of Botany, 2012, 99(5):847-864, doi: 10.3732/ajb.1100375
The molecular analysis compares lineages of the tribe Opuntieae and the circumscription of Opuntia sensu stricto. It presents the position of Brasiliopuntia in the reconstructed phylogenetic tree.
Cactus survey at the Floresta Nacional of Contendas do Sincorá, Bahia, Brazil
Peixoto M. R., Zappi D. C., Silva S. R., Costa G. M., Aona L. Y. S., Cactus survey at the Floresta Nacional of Contendas do Sincorá, Bahia, Brazil, Bradleya, 2016, 34:38-54, doi: 10.25223/brad.n34.2016.a19
The flora description for the studied area in Bahia includes taxonomic comparisons of cacti. For Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis, it presents stem architecture, flowers and the few large seeds.
Estudios citogenéticos y de contenido de ADN en Brasiliopuntia schulzii (Cactaceae)
Las Peñas M. L., Santiñaque F., López-Carro B., Stiefkens L., Estudios citogenéticos y de contenido de ADN en Brasiliopuntia schulzii (Cactaceae), Gayana Botánica, 2016, 73(2):414-420, doi: 10.4067/S0717-66432016000200414
The karyotype and cytometry study concerns two populations of Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis from Corrientes (B. schulzii in the paper). It analyses chromosomes and variation in nuclear DNA content.
Flora of Itaúnas State Park, Espírito Santo, Brazil: Cactaceae
Nepomuceno Á., Miranda V. S., Alves-Araújo A., Flora of Itaúnas State Park, Espírito Santo, Brazil: Cactaceae, Rodriguésia, 2022, 73:e01862019, doi: 10.1590/2175-7860202273001
The inventory of Itaúnas park includes a detailed description of Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis. It documents plants at the edge of restinga forest and their local habitat.
Cactaceae no estado do Paraná, Brasil
Soller A., Soffiatti P., Calvente A., Goldenberg R., Cactaceae no estado do Paraná, Brasil, Rodriguésia, 2014, 65(1):201-219, doi: 10.1590/S2175-78602014000100014
The Cactaceae flora of Paraná state describes local species and their habitats. It documents Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis in the understorey of seasonal forest.
Morfoanatomia vegetativa de Opuntia brasiliensis (Willd) Haw.
de Azevedo C. F., da Silva K. R. G., Bruno R. L. A., Quirino Z. G. M., Morfoanatomia vegetativa de Opuntia brasiliensis (Willd) Haw., Ambiência, 2013, 9(1):73-82, doi: 10.5777/ambiencia.2013.01.05
The paper describes the anatomy of Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis under the old generic name Opuntia. It compares the root and different types of stem, including their stomata, parenchyma, mucilage cells and crystals.
Chromosome numbers, nuclear DNA content, and polyploidy in Consolea (Cactaceae), an endemic cactus of the Caribbean Islands
Negrón-Ortiz V., Chromosome numbers, nuclear DNA content, and polyploidy in Consolea (Cactaceae), an endemic cactus of the Caribbean Islands, American Journal of Botany, 2007, 94(8):1360-1370, doi: 10.3732/ajb.94.8.1360
The paper presents chromosome counts and cytometry for Consolea. It compares ploidy, including an estimate based on DNA in C. millspaughii subsp. caymanensis.
Structure and function of secretory glochids and nectar composition in two Opuntioideae (Cactaceae) species
Silva S. C. D. M., Machado S. R., Nepi M., Rodrigues T. M., Structure and function of secretory glochids and nectar composition in two Opuntioideae (Cactaceae) species, Botany, 2020, 98(8):425-437, doi: 10.1139/cjb-2020-0004
The paper compares glochids of four Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis and five Opuntia cochenillifera plants (Nopalea cochenillifera in the publication). Microscopy, histochemistry and HPLC describe secretory function and xylem and phloem at the glochid bases.
Flora do Rio de Janeiro: Cactaceae
Freitas M. F., Calvente A., Gonzaga D. R., Flora do Rio de Janeiro: Cactaceae, Rodriguésia, 2020, 71:e03162018, doi: 10.1590/2175-7860202071127
The regional flora of Cactaceae includes species descriptions and herbarium documentation. The section on Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis presents its morphology, habitats and local phenology.
Subdioecy in Consolea spinosissima (Cactaceae): breeding system and embryological studies
Strittmatter L. I., Negrón-Ortiz V., Hickey R. J., Subdioecy in Consolea spinosissima (Cactaceae): breeding system and embryological studies, American Journal of Botany, 2002, 89(9):1373-1387, doi: 10.3732/ajb.89.9.1373
The study of a population from Hellshire Hills in Jamaica analyses flowers and ovule development. It discusses plants historically described as weak hermaphrodites.
Pleistocene aridification underlies the evolutionary history of the Caribbean endemic, insular, giant Consolea (Opuntioideae)
Majure L. C., Barrios D., Díaz E., Zumwalde B. A., Testo W., Negrón-Ortíz V., Pleistocene aridification underlies the evolutionary history of the Caribbean endemic, insular, giant Consolea (Opuntioideae), American Journal of Botany, 2021, 108(2):200-215, doi: 10.1002/ajb2.1610
The analysis includes plastome phylogeny, ribosomal data and a reconstruction of Consolea biogeography. It discusses the radiation of the genus, stem surfaces and the inclusion of corallicola in C. millspaughii.
Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org – a dynamic online species-level taxonomic backbone for the family
Korotkova N., Aquino D., Arias S., Eggli U., Franck A., Gómez-Hinostrosa C., Guerrero P. C., Hernández H. M., Kohlbecker A., Köhler M., Luther K., Majure L. C., Müller A., Metzing D., Nyffeler R., Sánchez D., Schlumpberger B., Berendsohn W. G., Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org – a dynamic online species-level taxonomic backbone for the family, Willdenowia, 2021, 51(2):251-270, doi: 10.3372/wi.51.51208
The publication presents a taxonomic checklist of Cactaceae from 2021. It organises accepted names, synonyms and references to classification sources.
Prospects for the long-term persistence of a severely endangered plant, Consolea corallicola (Cactaceae)
Stiling P., Duquesnel J., Fox G., Prospects for the long-term persistence of a severely endangered plant, Consolea corallicola (Cactaceae), Conservation Science and Practice, 2025, 7(5):e70031, doi: 10.1111/csp2.70031
The multi-year analysis of conservation plantings concerns Consolea millspaughii subsp. corallicola (Consolea corallicola in the publication). It examines growth, mortality factors and the effectiveness of the treatments studied up to 2023.
Uso del nombre Consolea microcarpa versus Consolea picardae (Cactaceae), para una especie endémica de La Española
Majure L. C., Clase T., Uso del nombre Consolea microcarpa versus Consolea picardae (Cactaceae), para una especie endémica de La Española, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 2018, 12(1):75-80
The authors discuss the morphology and ecology of plants from Hispaniola identified as Consolea microcarpa. They present nomenclatural arguments concerning the taxon currently accepted in POWO as C. picardae.
Copy in the supplied material
New taxa of Consolea Lemaire (Cactaceae: Opuntioideae) from Cuba
Areces-Mallea A. E., New taxa of Consolea Lemaire (Cactaceae: Opuntioideae) from Cuba, Brittonia, 1996, 48(2):224-236, doi: 10.2307/2807819
The publication describes Cuban plants as Consolea moniliformis subsp. guantanamana and C. nashii subsp. gibarensis. It includes a key and habitat observations within the authors' taxonomic treatment.
A new opuntioid cactus from the Cayman Islands, B.W.I., with a discussion and key to the genus Consolea Lemaire
Areces-Mallea A. E., A new opuntioid cactus from the Cayman Islands, B.W.I., with a discussion and key to the genus Consolea Lemaire, Brittonia, 2001, 53(1):96-107, doi: 10.1007/BF02805401
The publication includes a description of Consolea millspaughii subsp. caymanensis and a key to the genus as understood at the time. It compares spines, stem surfaces and flowers, and explains the earlier identification of Cayman plants as C. spinosissima.
Comparative microsporangium development in male-fertile and male-sterile flowers of Consolea (Cactaceae): When and how does pollen abortion occur
Strittmatter L. I., Negrón-Ortiz V., Hickey R. J., Comparative microsporangium development in male-fertile and male-sterile flowers of Consolea (Cactaceae): When and how does pollen abortion occur, Grana, 2006, 45(2):81-100, doi: 10.1080/00173130500537101
The study compares anther development in six species and tissue degeneration in functionally female flowers. It analyses the tapetum and the arrest of microsporogenesis.
Heterochrony and its role in sex determination of cryptically dioecious Consolea (Cactaceae) staminate flowers
Strittmatter L. I., Hickey R. J., Negrón-Ortiz V., Heterochrony and its role in sex determination of cryptically dioecious Consolea (Cactaceae) staminate flowers, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 156(2):305-326, doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00754.x
The study compares ovule development in six Consolea species. It discusses heterochrony and the occasional production of seeds by functionally male individuals.
Lista anotada de cactus nativos y naturalizados de Cuba
Barrios D., Arias S., González-Torres L. R., Majure L. C., Lista anotada de cactus nativos y naturalizados de Cuba, Botanical Sciences, 2023, 101(4):1249-1300, doi: 10.17129/botsci.3324
The review of Cuban cacti distinguishes native and naturalised species. It includes regional data on Consolea and differences between young and adult stems.
Patterns of genetic diversity in the critically endangered Florida key endemic Consolea corallicola small (Cactaceae): Evidence from inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSRs) DNA polymorphisms
Cariaga K. A., Lewis C. E., Maschinski J., Wright S. J., Francisco-Ortega J., Patterns of genetic diversity in the critically endangered Florida key endemic Consolea corallicola small (Cactaceae): Evidence from inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSRs) DNA polymorphisms, Caribbean Journal of Science, 2005, 41(2):225-233
The abstract describes an analysis of ISSR markers in two natural populations and a specimen maintained ex situ. The results indicate low variation, with three profiles distinguished in the marker set studied.
Copy in the supplied material
Embryology of floral dimorphism and gender system in Consolea corallicola (Cactaceae), a rare species of the Florida Keys
Negrón-Ortiz V., Strittmatter L. I., Embryology of floral dimorphism and gender system in Consolea corallicola (Cactaceae), a rare species of the Florida Keys, Haseltonia, 2004, 10:16-25
The study compares the developmental anatomy of primary and secondary flowers in material from Torchwood Hammock. It describes ovule degeneration and the occasional persistence of individual ovules capable of further development.
Copy in the supplied material
In vitro culture of Consolea millspaughii subsp. millspaughii (Cactaceae): a critically endangered species
Martel-Ortiz D., González-De Zayas R., Concepción O., Escalona M., Hajari E., Lorenzo J. C., Hernández-Fernández L., In vitro culture of Consolea millspaughii subsp. millspaughii (Cactaceae): a critically endangered species, Vegetos, 2025, 38(4):1707-1712, doi: 10.1007/s42535-024-00972-7
The abstract presents a population census on Cayo Paredón Grande and the initial stages of micropropagation. It reports the change in the number of adult plants and the production of shoots and roots in vitro.
Endangered Cactus Restoration: Mitigating the Non-Target Effects of a Biological Control Agent (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Florida
Stiling P., Moon D., Gordon D., Endangered Cactus Restoration: Mitigating the Non-Target Effects of a Biological Control Agent (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Florida, Restoration Ecology, 2004, 12(4):605-610, doi: 10.1111/j.1061-2971.2004.00343.x
The three experiments concern conservation plantings, protective cages, site and fertilisation. The authors analyse growth and survival, and describe the isolation of a fungus from some rotting plants.
Death and Decline of a Rare Cactus in Florida
Stiling P., Death and Decline of a Rare Cactus in Florida, Castanea, 2010, 75(2):190-197, doi: 10.2179/09-023.1
The paper continues observations of plantings and natural offsets of Consolea millspaughii subsp. corallicola (Consolea corallicola in the publication). It compares growth, survival and substrate conditions, including the response to fertilisation.
An evaluation of the diet of Cyclura iguanas in the Dominican Republic
Pasachnik S. A., Martin-Velez V., An evaluation of the diet of Cyclura iguanas in the Dominican Republic, Herpetological Bulletin, 2017, (140):6-12
The abstract presents an analysis of faeces from two Cyclura iguana species in the Dominican Republic. Consolea moniliformis was among the seasonally important food plants.
Copy in the supplied material
Control and persistence of native Opuntia on Nevis and St. Kitts 50 years after the introduction of Cactoblastis cactorum
Pemberton R. W., Liu H., Control and persistence of native Opuntia on Nevis and St. Kitts 50 years after the introduction of Cactoblastis cactorum, Biological Control, 2007, 41(2):272-282, doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2007.02.002
The abstract describes observations of Cactoblastis on Nevis and Saint Kitts. No attack on Consolea rubescens was recorded in the field material studied.
Targets of an Invasive Species: Oviposition Preference and Larval Performance of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on 14 North American Opuntioid Cacti
Jezorek H. A., Stiling P. D., Carpenter J. E., Targets of an Invasive Species: Oviposition Preference and Larval Performance of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on 14 North American Opuntioid Cacti, Environmental Entomology, 2010, 39(6):1884-1892, doi: 10.1603/en10022
The abstract presents a comparison of egg laying and larval development in Cactoblastis cactorum. Consolea rubescens was among the hosts that supported larval development well in the no-choice experiment.
An evaluation of the cacti of Charles Plumier (1646–1704)
Mottram R., Hoxey P., An evaluation of the cacti of Charles Plumier (1646–1704), The Cactician, 2020, 13:i-ii, 1-99
The authors compare historical descriptions and drawings with modern field observations. The section on pages 69–74 concerns Consolea testudinis-crus and the history of this name.