MEXICAN CULTIVARS OF O. FICUS-INDICA (L.) MILL. WITH ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

The Opuntia family represents an important plant resource of arid and semiarid regions of Mexico. Oputnia ficus-indica is a species with the widest distribution in Mexico and has been the subject of many domestication efforts. The characterization of O. ficus-indica variants is a priority for Mexico because the country is recognized as the center of origin and the primary dispersal point for many of the world's varieties of Opuntia. This paper reports the morphological description of seven cultivars of cactus pear belonging to O. ficus-indica (L.) Miller: 'Roja Vigor', 'Amarilla Diamante', 'Negrito Atlixco', 'Milpa Alta', 'COPENA V1', 'COPENA F1' and 'Rojo Pelón'. Descriptions taken on the cultivars followed the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) guidelines considering the most important features of plant, cladodes, flowers and fruits.