Botanical identity
This taxon is documented in the World Checklist of Useful Plant Species with a reported medicinal use. The record establishes a use report and botanical index entry, not clinical effectiveness or individual safety.
KingdomPlantae
Phylum / divisionTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusOpuntia
Scientific name with authorshipOpuntia sulphurea G.Don ex Salm-Dyck
Indexed scientific synonyms
Cactus sericeus GilliesCactus sericeus Gillies ex G.DonCactus sericeus Gillies ex LoudonCactus sulphureus GilliesCactus sulphureus Gillies ex G.DonCactus sulphureus Gillies ex LoudonOpuntia albisetosa Hildm.Opuntia albisetosa Hildm. ex HirschtOpuntia brachyacantha (F.Ritter) R.Crook & MottramOpuntia coerulea GilliesOpuntia coerulea Gillies ex Pfeiff.Opuntia maelenii Salm-DyckOpuntia sericea G.DonOpuntia sericea G.Don ex Salm-DyckOpuntia sericea var. longispina Salm-DyckOpuntia sericea var. maelenii Salm-DyckOpuntia sulphurea G.Don ex Salm-DyckOpuntia sulphurea subsp. brachyacantha (F.Ritter) P.J.Braun & EstevesOpuntia sulphurea subsp. spinibarbis (F.Ritter) P.J.Braun & EstevesOpuntia sulphurea subsp. sulphureaOpuntia sulphurea subsp. vulpina (F.A.C.Weber) GuiggiOpuntia sulphurea var. laevior Salm-DyckOpuntia sulphurea var. major Monv.Opuntia sulphurea var. major Monv. ex Lem.Opuntia sulphurea var. pallidior Monv.Opuntia sulphurea var. pallidior Monv. ex Lem.Platyopuntia brachyacantha F.RitterPlatyopuntia spinibarbis F.RitterPlatyopuntia spinibarbis var. grandiflora F.RitterPlatyopuntia sulphurea (G.Don ex Salm-Dyck) F.Ritter
Documented use categories
These categories describe the kinds of human-use reports attached to the taxon in the source checklist. Multiple categories can coexist; a plant may be recorded as both food and poison, depending on part, preparation and context.
How to interpret this record
Evidence boundary
A taxonomic use record is a discovery and indexing signal. Clinical evidence must be assessed separately for the exact species, plant part, preparation, route, dose and health question.
Safety boundary
Correct identification is essential. Toxicity, contraindications, interactions and safe preparation cannot be inferred from a documented-use record.
Dataset record and provenance
DatasetWCUPS 2020
LicenceCC BY 4.0
Name sourceIPNI
IPNI / external identifier175589-2
Use codesME
Crop wild relativeNo
Contributing checklist sources
Medicinal Plant Names Services v8.2
Read the full dataset citation, licence and import methodology →
!Educational index, not a treatment recommendation
The presence of a taxon in this database does not provide a diagnosis, dose, formulation or assurance of safety. Some indexed plants are toxic, regulated, endangered or unsafe in specific life stages.