Opuntia & Sesuvium

Giant Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia echios) and Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) on South Plaza Island.
Galapagos Islands
ECUADOR. South America
South Plazas is part of the Arid Zone
Opuntia are one of the most distinctive Galapagos plants. The development of the tree form was due to competition of other cactus seedlings for light as well as grazing pressure from giant tortoises. They have spines on their trunks to prevent herbivores from eating them as well as to consense water.
Sea Purslane is one of the most colorful plants when it turns red during the dry season from May to December.
Both plants are ENDEMIC TO GALAPAGOS

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Filename: GC672_Opuntia_&_Sesuvium.tif
Copyright: © Pete Oxford
Image Size: 3680x5540 / 58.4MB; Arid Zone Ecuador Endemic Galapagos Giant Prickly Pear Cactus Islands Ocean Opuntia echios Sea Purslane Sesuviam portulacastrum South America
Contained in galleries: Galapagos General

Giant Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia echios) and Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) on South Plaza Island.<br />
Galapagos Islands<br />
ECUADOR. South America<br />
South Plazas is part of the Arid Zone<br />
Opuntia are one of the most distinctive Galapagos plants. The development of the tree form was due to competition of other cactus seedlings for light as well as grazing pressure from giant tortoises. They have spines on their trunks to prevent herbivores from eating them as well as to consense water. <br />
Sea Purslane is one of the most colorful plants when it turns red during the dry season from May to December.<br />
Both plants are ENDEMIC TO GALAPAGOS