Galapagos Cactus

The Galapagos Cactus is common to find in the dry zones of certain Islands of the Galapagos archipelago. The Lava cactus, Candelabra cactus and the species of Opuntia or "Prickly Pair" are endemic to these set of Islands.

This plant in Galapagos plays an important role in the islands' ecosystems because many other species depend on it.

It is also a significant part of the fauna of its mostly arid islands. The Cacti in Galapagos are beautiful and extensive; you can find them almost on every island you visit.

Galapagos Cacti

galapagos cactus

Cactus store water in their stems and leaves and are able to survive in aggressive climates. The cactus has spines which are a fundamental part of the Cacti, they are used to guard against hostile animals making the plant difficult to chew.

The spines are also useful because they offer shade to keep the internal temperature of the plant down, and they send rainwater towards the bottom of the plant.

The Opuntia, or prickly pear cactus is an endemic species and is the most prominent and the most diverse Galapagos cactus.

There are fourteen different categories and six species of endemic Opuntia in the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Cactus provides food to many birds and animals on the islands. Galapagos finches doves, mockingbirds, Galapagos iguanas and Galapagos tortoises feed from this plant.

Some cacti species are classified by island and others by climactic zones. On Santa Fe Island for example, the only species of cactus found here is the Opuntia echios barringtonensis.

In the arid zones of San Cristobal Island you will find another variety of cacti such as the O. megasperma orientalis and in the upper zones of this Island the O. megasperma mesophytica is the prominent variety.

Galapagos Cactus Description

Prickly Pair Cactus (Opuntia Cactaceae): This is the common name used for plants of the cactus family. It is endemic to Galapagos and it is also the most common in the islands.

It has yellow flowers that develop into an orange-red prickle covered fruit and can grow up to 5 feet tall.

The prickly pear cactus is an important component of the Galapagos ecosystem upon which other organisms depend. Many herbivores feed on its pads, fruit and flowers.

The Prickly Pear Cactus is the source of food to a lot of Galapagos land animals as well as birds.

Lava Cactus (Brachycereus Nesioticus) They grow up in groups on the lava fields of the Galapagos Islands and can reach a height of 23 inches.

The color of this cactus is yellow at the beginning then turns to orange and it fades to gray or black as it matures with time. It has white flowers that are visible in the early morning hours only.

Candelabra Cactus (Jasminocereus Thouarsii) Is also endemic to the Galapagos Islands and grows up to 23 feet. It has green or red fruit flowers that open before dawn. This type of Galapagos cactus can be found on the cliffs of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island

In the Galapagos Islands there are nearly 600 species of plants and almost one third of them are endemic to the islands, which means that some species cannot be found anywhere else on earth.

In the highlands of Galapagos you can find bromeliads, orchids and the endemic Scalesia. In the coast of the Islands you can see giant prickly pears and candelabra cacti. More information about Galapagos Plants

We can come to the conclusion that the Galapagos Cactus has continuously evolved into different varieties to adapt to their new environment and to survive to the different weather conditions that the Islands have.

Feel the true "Essence of Nature."
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