58 FLORA OF ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 



362. Opuntia curassavica, Mill. (v. Suckers). 



PL all the year round. Berry purple, f " long, clavate. Gregarious 

 in dry localities, which are often rendered impenetrable by its presence. 

 Very common. All islands. 



363. O. Tuna, Mill. (v. Prickly Pear). 



PL all the year round. Berry ovate, crimson, edible. Seeds small, 

 black. Used for fencing purposes. In dry localities, very common. 

 All islands. 



364. O. horrida, Salm. (v. Bull-suckers). 



PL all the year round. Flower reddish-yellow. In dry localities, com- 

 mon. St. Croix ; St. Thomas. 



365. O. spinosissima, Mill. 



PL all the year round. Spines white, 5-8 in each cluster, deciduous 

 on the stein. Flower f " diameter. Plant reaching 20 / -25 / high. In dry 

 thickets, common. All islands. 



366. O. tuberculata, Haw. (v. French Prickly Pear). 



PL the whole year. Flower small, yellow. Branches used for poul- 

 tices. Plant lO'-lS' high. Naturalized and planted near dwellings. 

 St. Croix; St. Thomas. 



367. O. ccccinellifera, Mill. 



PL all the year round. Plant 15'-20' high. On limestone, uncom- 

 mon. St. Croix ; St. Thomas. 



368. O. catocantha, Hort. Berol. 

 St. Thomas (Pf. 1. c. p. 166). 



369. Peireskia aculeata, Mill. (v. Surinam Gooseberry). 



PL July. Fruit acidulous, edible. Naturalized and cultivated. St. 

 Croix; St. Thomas. 



370. P. Bleo, HB. K. 



PL all the year round. Sepals accrescent on the fruit. Naturalized 

 and cultivated in gardens. St. Croix ; St. Thomas. 



[Cultivated species: Cereus peruvianus, Tabem.; C. monoclonos, DC.; 

 C. repandusj Haw., and C. Phyllantlms, DC.] 



371. Bryophyllum calycinum, Salisb. (v. Wonderful Leaf). 



PL Jan.-March. Naturalized in dry localities, common, gregarious. 

 All islands. 



