המועדפים של hungry-sarracenia

Image #1
Morphological comparisons of both Opuntia cespitosa Raf. (Left) and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (Right) observed at Rondeau Provinical Park on September 22, 2023.

Opuntia cespitosa Raf. (Left) has porrect spines (0-2) protruding from a given joint's terminal-most areoles, whereas Opuntia humifusa Raf. (Right) is completely spineless.

Image #2:
Observers should note the (extremely) subtle differences between areole cross-sections and glochid formations of both species.

Image #3:
Opuntia cespitosa Raf. (Top) produces oblong fruiting bodies whereas Opuntia humifusa Raf. (Bottom) produces obovate fruiting bodies.

All suspected O. humifusa Raf. occurrences should be monitored during the last week of June to verify the production of wholly yellow blooms.

Ça, c’est vraiment spécial, je n’ai jamais vu ça ! Les feuilles et les bourgeons ressemblent à l’orme de Sibérie. Mais ce liège sur les branches ? Un orme Européens ? Tel que Ulmus minor ou Ulmus procera ??? Ça pourrait donc avoir été planté ? Endroit complètement en friche, en retrait d’une voie ferrée abandonnée. Mais il n’est pas impossible que quelqu’un ait planté ça. Est-ce que ça pourrait être naturalisé ?

This origin of this cactus is unknown, but it has apparently been present in this granite barren opening for a long time. While there is currently a bit of "rock gardening" happening around it, it was not planted by the current landowner. It was also not planted by the previous landowner, who reported that this had been present as long as they had the property, since the 1930s. This means this cactus has had a self-sustaining occupation of this outcrop for at least 80 years. Some pine needles have blown in, but there is also quite an accumulation of shed spines if you look closely.

Does anyone know what this thing is or how it formed?!! Mass of pine needles about 10inches at the widest point. Seems to be a habitat for tiny things like snails and freshwater shrimp and things like that. There were four or five of them. I’m so curious!!!