About Opuntia inaperta (Schott ex Griffiths) D.R.Hunt
Opuntia inaperta (Schott ex Griffiths) D.R.Hunt is a cactus species that can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) tall. Its branches often spread widely through the scrub habitats where it typically grows. Individual flattened stem segments, called pads, are slenderly oblong in shape and can reach up to 17 cm (6.7 inches) long. Spine-bearing structures called areoles are scattered across the flat surfaces of the pads, with 3 or more spines growing from each areole. The spines grow to approximately 4 cm (around 1½ inches) long. The species produces flowers that range from yellow to rose in color, measuring about 4 cm long. When mature, its fruits are red and reach 1.5 cm (around 0.6 inch) long.
This species occurs within the Mexican Dry Broadleaf Forest Biome, a biome characterized by warm to hot temperatures year-round and a long dry season. It specifically inhabits the Yucatán dry forest ecoregion. The most species-rich dry forests in the world are found in southern Mexico and the Bolivian lowlands.
Opuntia inaperta is distributed in Guatemala, and in the southern Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Yucatán.
