Consolea moniliformis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Consolea
Species:
C. moniliformis
Binomial name
Consolea moniliformis
(L.) A.Berger, 1926
Synonyms[2]
List
  • *Airampoa panellana (Backeb.) Doweld
  • *Cactus ferox Willd.
  • *Cactus moniliformis L.
  • *Cereus moniliformis (L.) DC.
  • *Consolea ferox (Willd.) Lem.
  • *Consolea moniliformis subsp. guantanamana Areces
  • *Consolea urbaniana (Werderm.) F.M.Knuth
  • *Nopalea moniliformis (L.) K.Schum.
  • *Opuntia armata var. panellana Backeb.
  • *Opuntia dolabriformis Pfeiff.
  • *Opuntia ferox Haw.
  • *Opuntia haitiensis Britton
  • *Opuntia moniliformis (L.) Haw. ex Steud.
  • *Opuntia moniliformis f. guantanamana (Areces) Govaerts
  • *Opuntia panellana (Backeb.) Backeb.
  • *Opuntia urbaniana Werderm.

Consolea moniliformis is a species of cactus that is native to the Greater Antilles, on Cuba, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic and Haiti), and Puerto Rico (on the islands of Mona, Culebra and Desecheo).[3]

Names

Common names include:[4]

Distribution and habitat

Consolea moniliformis can be found at elevations from sea level to about 50 metres.

In Cuba, it occurs in dry littoral forest, as well as limestone. In the city of Santiago de Cuba it is cultivated in gardens.

In Puerto Rico, it occurs in open dry forests and is sparsely distributed, but occurs abundantly.

On Hispaniola, the species is common in Hispaniolan dry forests.

Description

View of the plant

It is a tree-like cactus species to 4(-7) m height, freely branching in the crowns. In this species, as in a few other opuntias, the fruits are quite proliferous, often in long chains of 2-5 (or more) individuals or forming compound clusters. They hang on for a number of years and usually remaining green. They are, however, easily detached, and, when falling to the ground, they readily take root and start new colonies.[3]

Conservation

Its population is male-biased throughout the range. It is unknown whether there is seedling recruitment in the wild. Damage from the invasive moth Cactoblastis cactorum was not recorded in Dominican populations, but moderately present in Puerto Rican populations. Deforestation in Haiti has led to the suspicion of its extirpation there. Despite these threats, the species is considered Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

References

  1. ↑ Negrón-Ortiz, V.; Griffith, P.; Taylor, N.P.; González Torres, L.R.; Barrios, D. (2017). "Consolea moniliformis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T151754A121442124. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T151754A121442124.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Consolea moniliformis (L.) A.Berger". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Consolea moniliformis (L.) A.Berger". The Encyclopedia of Cacti. Encyclopedia of Living Forms. n.d. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ Grandtner, Miroslav M. (2005). Elsevier's Dictionary of Trees - North America. Amsterdam: Elsevier. p. 594. ISBN 9780080460185.

Bibliography

  • Forest & Kim Starr. Plants of Hawaii.
  • Grandtner, M. M. (2005). Elsevier's Dictionary of Trees. Amsterdam: Elsevier. ISBN 0-444-51784-7.
  • Liogier, Alain H. (1994). Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: Spermatophyta. Cyrillaceae to Myrtaceae. Puerto rico: Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. ISBN 0-8477-2333-X.
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