Flower and Fruit Developmental Stages of the Xerophyte Opuntia Ficus-Indica

The developmental stages of the flower bud of Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear), from the initial active meristem of the axillary flower bud to the mature fruit, including pollination and seed development, are followed. This xerophyte develops flower buds mainly from the axillary buds on the margin of the apical part of the terminal segment of the flat, leafless branch (platiclades). Flower bud meristems start to be active and secrete mucus in January. The red-bracted flower buds start to appear in March/April, flowers open during May/June, and fruit matures during June/August. The developmental stages were divided into 11 stages, and some were photographed by SEM.