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Opuntia vulgaris


Opuntia vulgaris
Photo Information
Copyright: Ferran J Lloret (ferranjlloret) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 499 W: 57 N: 1348] (4742)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-31
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposure: f/5.3, 1/50 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Plants of Europe, Plants of Catalonia [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-11-03 4:31
Viewed: 191
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Opuntia, also known as nopales (see below), or Paddle Cactus from the resemblance to the ball-and-paddle toy, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae.
Currently, only prickly pears are included in this genus of about 200[1] species distributed throughout most of the Americas. Chollas are now separated into the genus Cylindropuntia, which some still consider a subgenus of Opuntia. Austrocylindropuntia, Corynopuntia and Micropuntia are also often included in the present genus, but like Cylindropuntia they seem rather well distinct. Brasiliopuntia and Miqueliopuntia are closer relatives of Opuntia.
The most commonly culinary species is the Indian Fig Opuntia (O. ficus-indica). Most culinary uses of the term 'prickly pear' refer to this species. Prickly pears are also known as nopal or nopales, from the Nahuatl word nōpalli for the pads, or nostle, from the Nahuatl word nōchtli for the fruit; or paddle cactus (from the resemblance to the ball-and-paddle toy).

Information source

O. vulgaris Mill., Gard. Dict. ed. 8, n.º 1 (1768) [vulgáris]
Cactus opuntia L., Sp. Pl.: 468 (1753) [syn. subst.]
O. humifusa auct.
O. compressa auct.
Ind. loc.: “Habitat in Amerlca [sic], Peru, Virginia, nunc in Hispania, Lusitania” sec. Linneo

Arbusto rastrero, enmarañado, que alcanza 1 m de diámetro y 20 cm de altura. Palas (4)6-12(15) cm, oblongas o casi circulares, al principio erectas, luegopostradas, verde-amarillentas, tiñéndose de púrpura y arrugándose en invierno. Aréolas c. 2 mm de diámetro, provistas de un tomento blanco solo observable a la lupa; gloquidios muy pequeños –que superan apenas 1 mm–, escasos o incluso inexistentes, amarillentos; espinas 1,5-3 cm, escasas, pardo-rojizas, rectas. Hojas c. 3 mm, cónicas, aplicadas contra la pala, tempranamente caducas. Flores 7-8 cm de diámetro, de un amarillo vivo, con las piezas periánticas petaloideas patentes. Filamentos estaminales amarillos. Ovario 2-2,5 cm, con algunas areólas poco marcadas y glabras; estigma y estilo blanquecinos. Frutos 2,5-5 × c. 1,5 cm, subcilíndricos, de color rojo carmín, vivo, en la madurez; pulpa rosado-verdosa. Semillas c. 4 mm, discoideas, muy viscosas, con rafe de un rojo carmín, vivo. 2n = 22*, 33*, 44*.
En suelos muy ricos en materia orgánica, sobre rocas silíceas. VI-VII. Originaria del E de los Estados Unidos; naturalizada en Suiza, N de Austria, Italia, Francia y España. Naturalizada tiempo ha en los valles del Bibey y del Xares (Orense), así como en zonas muy limitadas de la provincia de Barcelona. Esp.: [B] [Or].

Information source

This photo is taken in Sant Pere de Casserres, near Vic, Catalonia

Personal web
nasokoun, CeltickRanger, jignasi, roges, Argus, nglen, Gert-Paassen, siggi, Pitoncle, Noisette has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jignasi: eiferranjlloret 1 11-03 10:31
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Critiques [Translate]

hello Ferran
interesting scene, splendid work in colours, a very good photographic result!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos

hello Ferran

Nature Morte style another of your beautiful photos,
shot with fine POV, DOF, superb focus ecellent
sharpness and details of all the image, TFS

Asbed

Hola Ferran,
he mirat pel damunt tb el treball de la Mar i a l'igual que l'altre, aquest potser millor, molt ben estructurat i complet, apunten alt!
Jo tpc em puc queixar, tinc un químic treballant i un altre que és un crack amb dos enginyeries superiors acabades de cursar. Els dos amb 24 anyets. No ens podem quixar en aquest sentit.

La foto que ens presentes combina bé el teu etern dilema art-ciència i amb la explicació tan detallada que dones gairebé no cal veure la foto; com és tan maca l'he mirat igualment jeje. Bon enquadrament, o millor dit, bona disposició de les cladodis ( he consultat el nom :-) i ben captats els bonics colors. Les espines donen dinamisme i creen un bon efecte òptic al conjunt. Bona llum.
Un bon document tècnic i artístic.
Salutacions: Josep Ignasi.

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 595 W: 0 N: 507] (3040)
  • [2009-11-03 7:11]

Hi Ferran,
Beautiful macro. Beautiful colors and play.
Very good and the description provided.
Regards,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3808 W: 190 N: 11328] (34927)
  • [2009-11-03 9:38]

Hello Ferran,
A fine capture of this invader from the Americas showing both the fruit and the 'paddles' of this Opuntia species of cactus. The technical qualities and composition are excellent.
It seems to be growing horizontally on the ground, which is unusual!
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619] (32124)
  • [2009-11-03 10:49]

Hi Ferran. Once again you bring us a fine picture of a plant. This is not one i would like to sit on !!. Taken with fine detail in the skin and with natural looking colours. well taken With interesting notes . TFS.
Nick..

hello Ferran,

another nice autumnalis picture with good pov and dof.
Fine warm colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1370 W: 56 N: 4704] (16174)
  • [2009-11-03 12:11]

Hello Ferran,
The cactus is captured with fine details!
I like the point of view and inclusion of the surroundings, attractive colours in the subject.A well composed presentation.
Best regards Siggi

Bonjour Ferran,
Le cadrage serré valorise bien le sujet par l'appréciation de la finesse des détails et de la délicatesse des couleurs.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2569] (9065)
  • [2009-11-04 16:35]

Hi Ferran,
really nice and beautiful in a very well composed scientific capture. The colour contrast is lovely and the notes is really imformative.
So lively and I could feel like giving it a bite.
Nice colours.

Regards,
Foozi

Hi Ferran,
Interesting and informative notes.Great angle, good exposure and sharpness.Natural colours and details well captured.
erwin...

Ciao Ferran,
una bellissima immagine di questa Opuntia, mi piace il contrasto contro la roccia scura e le sfumature nei colori delle foglie, ottima definizione.
Grazie e complimenti
Salutacions
Maurizio

Hello Ferran
a fine capture of this Paddle Cactus, details and colors are superbly reproduced,
great composition, i like the impessive thorns
Have a great WE
Jacqueline

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