Name and historical material
Mottram and Hoxey published the combination in Consolea in 2020, analysing Charles Plumier's notes and drawings and later literature. Current POWO gives the authorship as Consolea testudinis-crus (Lancry) Mottram & Hoxey, linking the basionym to Lancry's 1792 publication. This differs from the basionym authorship printed in the 2020 account. The atlas heading uses the current POWO form. [2-WWW] [Mottram and Hoxey 2020]
Synonyms include Opuntia haitiensis. Mottram and Hoxey linked the historical accounts to the area around Port à Piment, northwest of Gonaïves. Modern field observations confirmed extensive stands of arborescent plants there. [Mottram and Hoxey 2020]
Traits of the plants observed
The authors described adult segments as usually spineless, with more variable armament in young plants. Flowers and fruit had glochids but lacked the typical long spines. Strong relief on the segment surface helps compare this material with the less pronounced network in C. rubescens. [Mottram and Hoxey 2020]
POWO lists northern Haiti and seasonally dry tropical environments. The atlas did not merge the species with C. moniliformis simply because older broad interpretations may have included similar plants under that name. Material used in earlier studies needs reassessment when those studies are cited. [2-WWW]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Cactus testudinis-crus · Opuntia haitiensis · Opuntia testudinis-crus [2-WWW]