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Northern opuntioids

References for the new accounts

Scientific publications and archived material, with complete bibliographic details and summaries of their contents.

Article2022

Supporting a young age for the North American deserts: Historical biogeography of Grusonia (Cylindropuntieae) in a Plio-Pleistocene temporal framework

Bárcenas R. T., Hernández H. M., Supporting a young age for the North American deserts: Historical biogeography of Grusonia (Cylindropuntieae) in a Plio-Pleistocene temporal framework, Taxon, 2022, 71(5):981-992, doi: 10.1002/tax.12741

A reconstruction of Grusonia phylogeny and historical biogeography based on five plastid markers. The authors compare models of range change and date the main divergences, relating them to geographical barriers in North American deserts. The results depend on the molecular clock calibration adopted.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2016

A molecular phylogenetic approach to the systematics of Cylindropuntieae (Opuntioideae, Cactaceae)

Bárcenas R. T., A molecular phylogenetic approach to the systematics of Cylindropuntieae (Opuntioideae, Cactaceae), Cladistics, 2016, 32(4):351-359, doi: 10.1111/cla.12135

The analysis of three plastid regions clarifies generic boundaries in Cylindropuntieae. It discusses the removal of Micropuntia pulchella from Grusonia and four lineages within Cylindropuntia. The position of Micropuntia can be compared with the later plastome analysis by Majure and co-authors.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntiaGrusoniaMicropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2017

Corynopuntia deinacantha (Cactaceae), a new species from Coahuila, Mexico

Donati D., Corynopuntia deinacantha (Cactaceae), a new species from Coahuila, Mexico, Webbia, 2017, 72(1):105-112, doi: 10.1080/00837792.2017.1309743

The original description of Grusonia deinacantha under the name Corynopuntia deinacantha. It includes morphology, habitats in Coahuila, local phenology, chromosome number and a comparison with similar species.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2018

Corynopuntia halophila (Cactaceae), a new species from Coahuila, Mexico

Donati D., Corynopuntia halophila (Cactaceae), a new species from Coahuila, Mexico, Plant Biosystems, 2018, 152(3):386-397, doi: 10.1080/11263504.2017.1297332

The original description of Grusonia halophila under the name Corynopuntia halophila. It covers saline habitats, two types of stem segment, morphometry, vegetative reproduction and a comparison of the tetraploid species with diploid Grusonia moelleri.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

[2-WWW]Source website

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.

Accessed 2026-10-08.

Article2002

Grusonia pulchella classification and its impacts on the genus Grusonia: Morphological and molecular evidence

Griffith M. P., Grusonia pulchella classification and its impacts on the genus Grusonia: Morphological and molecular evidence, Haseltonia, 2002, 9:86-93

Morphological and molecular evidence for the distinctness of Micropuntia pulchella, discussed in the title as Grusonia pulchella. The study compares growth form, the underground organ, fruit spines and nuclear ITS sequences, and presents a new name combination.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyMicropuntia

Copy in the supplied material

Article2019

Phylogenomics in Cactaceae: A case study using the chollas sensu lato (Cylindropuntieae, Opuntioideae) reveals a common pattern out of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts

Majure L. C., Baker M. A., Cloud-Hughes M., Salywon A., Neubig K. M., Phylogenomics in Cactaceae: A case study using the chollas sensu lato (Cylindropuntieae, Opuntioideae) reveals a common pattern out of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts, American Journal of Botany, 2019, 106(10):1327-1345, doi: 10.1002/ajb2.1364

The plastid genome analysis reconstructs relationships among chollas and other Cylindropuntieae. It includes biogeography, estimates of lineage ages and the evolution of morphological traits. The repeated emergence of similar traits explains some discrepancies between traditional divisions and the molecular tree.

Physiology and anatomyGenusCylindropuntiaGrusoniaMicropuntiaPereskiopsisQuiabentia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2023Abstract consulted

A phylogenetic classification of Grusonia, Opuntioideae, Cactaceae

Bárcenas R. T., A phylogenetic classification of Grusonia, Opuntioideae, Cactaceae, Haseltonia, 2023, 30(1):2-5, doi: 10.2985/026.030.0101

A proposed Grusonia classification based on a phylogeny of five plastid markers. It distinguishes two subgenera and four sections, linking the naming of these units to the phylogenetic lineages identified.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2017

Nomenclatural proliferation and the superabundance of Homotypic Synonyms in Grusonia (Opuntioideae, Cactaceae)

Bárcenas R. T., Hawkins J. A., Nomenclatural proliferation and the superabundance of Homotypic Synonyms in Grusonia (Opuntioideae, Cactaceae), Haseltonia, 2017, 23:27-34, doi: 10.2985/026.023.0104

The historical compilation of names in the Grusonia group shows how changes in generic placement produced successive homotypic synonyms. The authors distinguish an increase in the number of nomenclatural combinations from a change in the number of recognised species.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2005

Vegetative reproduction, population structure, and morphology of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata in a desert grassland

Bobich E. G., Vegetative reproduction, population structure, and morphology of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata in a desert grassland, International Journal of Plant Sciences, 2005, 166(1):97-104, doi: 10.1086/425665

A comparison of two stands of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata and greenhouse trials of fruit and segment rooting. It discusses how clonal recruitment depends on plant size, available space, ground cover and water supply.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

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Article2025Abstract consulted

Grusonia pulvinata, a new sibling species within G. vilis s.l. (Opuntioideae: Cactaceae)

Donati D., Grusonia pulvinata, a new sibling species within G. vilis s.l. (Opuntioideae: Cactaceae), Phytotaxa, 2025, 712(2):87-106, doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.712.2.1

A description of Grusonia pulvinata from the alluvial plains of San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas, and the new combination Grusonia grahamii subsp. vilis. The abstract identifies differences in segment joints, reproduction, ecology and karyology.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2012

Typification of four North American club-chollas: The names of four Engelmannian species from Mexico and Southwestern United States

Bárcenas R. T., Hawkins J. A., Chiang F., Typification of four North American club-chollas: The names of four Engelmannian species from Mexico and Southwestern United States, Haseltonia, 2012, 17:66-69, doi: 10.2985/1070-0048-17.1.8

Typification of the names Opuntia bulbispina, O. clavata, O. emoryi and O. grahamii, now belonging to Grusonia. The study compares surviving herbarium material, Engelmann's descriptions and historical illustrations, and explains the choice of nomenclatural types.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2012

A new species of Dactylopius Costa (Dactylopius gracilipilus sp. nov.) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae) from the Chihuahuan Desert, Texas, U.S.A.

Van Dam A. R., May B., A new species of Dactylopius Costa (Dactylopius gracilipilus sp. nov.) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Dactylopiidae) from the Chihuahuan Desert, Texas, U.S.A., Zootaxa, 2012, 3573(1):33-39, doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3573.1.3

A description of Dactylopius gracilipilus from the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas. It includes a microscopic diagnosis of females, a comparison with related scale insects and data on its association with plants identified in the paper as Corynopuntia.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyGrusonia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2025

Prickly Problems: Cylindropuntia's Low Genetic Diversity Despite Inbreeding Avoidance

Ramadoss N., Steele S., Flores-Renteria L., Prickly Problems: Cylindropuntia's Low Genetic Diversity Despite Inbreeding Avoidance, Ecology and Evolution, 2025, 15(4):e71213, doi: 10.1002/ece3.71213

A comparison of SNP markers in six Cylindropuntia species with different sexual systems and ploidy levels. The detailed sample of Cylindropuntia wolfii combines clone identification with observations of field recruitment. The comparison includes one population of each species.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

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Article2022

Elastic property and fracture mechanics of lateral branch-branch junctions in cacti: A case study of Opuntia ficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii

Mylo M. D., Hoppe A., Pastewka L., Speck T., Speck O., Elastic property and fracture mechanics of lateral branch-branch junctions in cacti: A case study of Opuntia ficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii, Frontiers in Plant Science, 2022, 13:950860, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.950860

Experiments on tensile loading of joints between Cylindropuntia bigelovii segments and young and older Opuntia ficus-indica stems. Measurements of force, stress and fracture energy were combined with anatomy and mechanical tissue models.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2024

Cholla cactus wood (Cylindropuntia imbricata): Hierarchical structure and micromechanical properties

Morankar S., Luktuke A., Nieto-Valeiras E., Mistry Y., Bhate D., Penick C. A., Chawla N., Cholla cactus wood (Cylindropuntia imbricata): Hierarchical structure and micromechanical properties, Acta Biomaterialia, 2024, 174:269-280, doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.12.005

Tomography, microscopy, nanoindentation and modelling of dry Cylindropuntia imbricata wood. The study describes structure from the openings in the skeleton to cell walls, and compares the properties of fibres and wood rays.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article1983

Spine influences on PAR interception, stem temperature, and nocturnal acid accumulation by cacti

Nobel P. S., Spine influences on PAR interception, stem temperature, and nocturnal acid accumulation by cacti, Plant, Cell & Environment, 1983, 6(2):153-159, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1983.tb01888.x

Experiments and modelling of the effects of spines on photosynthetically active radiation, temperature and nocturnal acid accumulation. In Cylindropuntia bigelovii, the relationship between physiological responses and light was compared with spines present and after their removal.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2023

Influence of sexual dimorphism and dichromatism on reproductive success in a rare native cactus

Ramadoss N., Steele S., Flores-Rentería L., Influence of sexual dimorphism and dichromatism on reproductive success in a rare native cactus, Oecologia, 2023, 203(3-4):383-394, doi: 10.1007/s00442-023-05473-z

A study of functionally male and female flowers of Cylindropuntia wolfii. It combines measurements of size, colour, fluorescence and insect visit numbers with a test of the transport of a pollen substitute marker.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2019

Extrafloral nectaries of Cylindropuntia imbricata (Cactaceae) in the southern Chihuahuan Desert: anatomy and interaction with ants

Ávila-Argáez M., Yáñez-Espinosa L., Badano E., Barragán-Torres F., Flores J., Extrafloral nectaries of Cylindropuntia imbricata (Cactaceae) in the southern Chihuahuan Desert: anatomy and interaction with ants, Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 2019, 13(3):401-409, doi: 10.1007/s11829-018-9656-3

The anatomy of extrafloral nectaries in Cylindropuntia imbricata and a field watering experiment. The paper describes gland tissues, their position in areoles and an increase in the number of visiting ants with greater soil water availability.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2025

Experimental resource supplementation shifts ant-mediated defence on silver cholla

Braun J., Lortie C. J., Experimental resource supplementation shifts ant-mediated defence on silver cholla, Journal of Ecology, 2025, 113(12):3550-3563, doi: 10.1111/1365-2745.70178

A two-year experiment with supplementary sugar food on Cylindropuntia echinocarpa in the Mojave. The authors analyse ants, herbivorous true bugs and seed production separately. The effectiveness of protection depends on the ant species.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2022

Does ant–plant mutualism have spillover effects on the non-partner ant community?

Donald M. L., Miller T. E. X., Does ant–plant mutualism have spillover effects on the non-partner ant community?, Ecology and Evolution, 2022, 12(1):e8524, doi: 10.1002/ece3.8524

Multi-year observations of Cylindropuntia imbricata in New Mexico were combined with ant traps. The paper assesses whether the predominance of its partner Liometopum apiculatum on cacti translates into a change in the entire local ant community.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2023

The changing dynamics of ant-tree cholla mutualisms along a desert urbanization gradient

Lynch S. C., Savage A. M., The changing dynamics of ant-tree cholla mutualisms along a desert urbanization gradient, PLoS ONE, 2023, 18(3):e0280130, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280130

A comparison of ant communities visiting Cylindropuntia imbricata in urban, suburban and non-urban areas. An experiment with sucrose solution and larvae used as test prey measures insect detection, attack and removal.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2021

Soil moisture shapes diversity and network structure of insect communities associated with Cylindropuntia imbricata (Cactaceae)

Ramírez-Hernández A., Martínez-Falcón A. P., Ávila‑Argáez M., Flores J., Soil moisture shapes diversity and network structure of insect communities associated with Cylindropuntia imbricata (Cactaceae), Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 2021, 15(6):897-906, doi: 10.1007/s11829-021-09866-w

A twenty-week comparison of insects visiting watered and control Cylindropuntia imbricata plants. It examines abundance, diversity, community composition and insect–plant interaction networks at two times of day.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

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Article2022

Physicochemical and functional properties of the undervalued fruits of cactus Cylindropuntia imbricate (“xoconostle”) and antioxidant potential

Coutiño Laguna B. C., Flores Gallegos A. C., Ascacio Valdés J. A., Iliná A., Sáenz Galindo A., Castañeda Facio A. O., Esparza González S. C., Rodríguez Herrera R., Physicochemical and functional properties of the undervalued fruits of cactus Cylindropuntia imbricate (“xoconostle”) and antioxidant potential, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 2022, 39:102245, doi: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102245

An analysis of the peel and pulp–seed fraction of Cylindropuntia imbricata fruits. It examines chemical composition, water- and oil-binding properties, and laboratory measurements of the antioxidant activity of extracts.

Biotechnology and applicationsCylindropuntia

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Article2022

Could cactuses endure winter in Romanian climatic conditions?

Szekely-Varga Z., Csorba A. B., Molnár K., Iakab M., Biró-Janka B., Kentelky E., Could cactuses endure winter in Romanian climatic conditions?, Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, 2022, 66(1):738-744

The single-season trial in Bozeni compares ten taxa in sheltered and unsheltered parts of a bed. Each combination included ten plants, and damage was assessed on an ordinal scale.

Physiology and anatomyGenusCylindropuntiaEchinocereusOpuntia

Article or source page ↗

[4-WWW]Source website

Colorado State University Extension

https://extension.colostate.edu/

Regional CSU Extension and PlantTalk Colorado guides. Colorado conditions remain part of the recommendations' context.

Accessed 2026-10-08.

Article2020

Self‐repair in cacti branches: Comparative analyses of their morphology, anatomy, and biomechanics

Mylo M. D., Krüger F., Speck T., Speck O., Self‐repair in cacti branches: Comparative analyses of their morphology, anatomy, and biomechanics, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020, 21(13):4630, doi: 10.3390/ijms21134630

A comparison of the healing of controlled wounds in Cylindropuntia bigelovii and Opuntia ficus-indica over 31 days. Microscopy and bending tests show successive stages of protective barrier and wound periderm formation, and changes in stem stiffness.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2025

Modeling abscission of cacti branches

Striet L., Mylo M. D., Speck O., Dondl P. W., Modeling abscission of cacti branches, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2025, 196:105965, doi: 10.1016/j.jmps.2024.105965

Phase-field modelling of fracture in cactus stem joints. The analysis tests the role of geometry and differences in tissue stiffness in the crack path, and compares the results with mechanical experiments.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2023

The successful biological control of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata (A. Schott ex Engelm.) Backeb. (Cactaceae) (coral or boxing glove cactus) at two field sites in Queensland, Australia

Jones P. K., Day M. D., McConnachie A. J., Holtkamp R. H., Conroy J., Pidgeon G., Clark E., Clark P., Fletcher A., Savage M., The successful biological control of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata (A. Schott ex Engelm.) Backeb. (Cactaceae) (coral or boxing glove cactus) at two field sites in Queensland, Australia, Biological Control, 2023, 182:105235, doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105235

Monitoring of biological control of invasive Cylindropuntia fulgida var. mamillata at two sites in Queensland. It describes the spread of the “cholla” lineage of Dactylopius tomentosus, the decline in live plant density and the effects of rainfall on insect establishment.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2021

The structural and nutrient chemistry during early-stage decomposition and desiccation of cacti in the Sonoran Desert

Bilderback A. H., Torres A. J., Vega M., Ball B. A., The structural and nutrient chemistry during early-stage decomposition and desiccation of cacti in the Sonoran Desert, Journal of Arid Environments, 2021, 195:104636, doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2021.104636

A one-year study of drying and decomposition in fragments of Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa and Opuntia chlorotica. It compares losses of water, ash-free dry mass and elements, as well as soil CO₂ emissions under changing moisture and temperature conditions.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2005

Endophytic fungi associated with cacti in Arizona

Suryanarayanan T. S., Wittlinger S. K., Faeth S. H., Endophytic fungi associated with cacti in Arizona, Mycological Research, 2005, 109(5):635-639, doi: 10.1017/S0953756205002753

Isolation of endophytic fungi from tissues of 21 cactus taxa studied in Arizona. The paper compares the composition of the culturable fraction of communities, isolate numbers and fungal diversity in different hosts.

GenusPhysiology and anatomyCylindropuntia

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

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