OPUNTIA. 



Figure 269 represents joints of the type plant above cited; figure 270 represents a 

 joint with fruit; figure 271 is from a photograph of the type specimen. 



Fig. 271. — Opuntia bahiensis. The tree to the left and Fig. 272. — Opuntia amtnophila. 



somewhat in the foreground. 



238. Opuntia argentina Grisebach, Abh. Ges. Wiss. Gottingen 24: 140. 1879. 



Opuntia hieronymi Grisebach, Abh. Ges. WisSj Gottingen 24: 140. 1879. 



Erect, 5 to 15 meters high, branching at the top, the lateral branches subverticillate, teretes 

 terminal branches flat, 5 to 12 cm. long, 3 to 8 cm. broad; ovary 2 to 2.5 cm. long; petals elliptic to 

 spatulate, 1.8 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, greenish yellow; filaments white; style white; stigma-lobe; 

 yellowish green; ovary flattened, tuberculate, deeply umbilicate; fruit clavate, 5 cm. long, dull 

 purplish violet, with wine-colored pulp; seeds lens-shaped, 5 to 6 mm. long, 2.5 to 3 mm. broad. 



Type locality: Near San Andres, Oran, Argentina. 



Distribution: Northern Argentina. 



This species was considered identical with 0. brasili- 

 ensis by Schumann, but they separate on very good fruit 

 characters. 



Figure 274 is from a photograph of a fiowering branch 

 furnished by Dr. C. Spegazzini. 



Series 28. AMMOPHILAE. 



One peculiar species, native of Florida, constitutes this 

 series, characterized by a continuous erect subterete trunk, 

 flat, spiny branches, and large, yellow flowers. 



239. Opuntia ammophila Small, Journ. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 20: 29. 



1919. 



Plant erect, more or less branched throughout or ultimately 

 with a stem i to 2 meters tall or more, becoming 2 to 2.5 dm. in 

 diameter, bearing several spreading branches near the top, thus tree-like, tuberous at the base; 

 joints various, those of the main stem elongate, ultimately fused on the ends and subcylindric, 

 those of the branches typically obovate or cuneate, varying to elliptic or oval, thickish, 5 to 1 7 cm. 

 long, becoming grayish green; leaves stout-subulate, 6 to 10 mm. long, green; areoles relatively 



Fig. 273. — Opuntia ammophila. 



