Common name:
Prickly pear cactus
Scientific name:
Opuntia spp.
Spanish name:
Nopal / Chumbera
Conservation status:
Least Concern
Average lifespan:
100+ years
Average size:
Differs between species and varieties
Maximum size:
12 metres
Opuntia is a genus containing over 200 cacti species, all of which have paddle-shaped leaves and are commonly referred to as prickly pear cactus. Of the 200 species of prickly pear that grow across the Americas, only six grow in the Galapagos Islands:
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"12 species are locally extinct on the island, including the Floreana mockingbird and Floreana racer snake."
Once home to some of the most iconic wildlife in Galapagos, Floreana has been devastated by invasive species. We are supporting a hugely ambitious project to restore the island to its former glory.
