Opuntiads of the USA

Mission

Opuntia Species

Assorted Cacti

Opuntia Country

Opuntia Country 2

Opuntia Country 3

World Opuntiads

Notes from the Editors

Culture Notes

Literature

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Agave Photos

Cylindropuntias also have modified stems that serve as photosynthetic organs, but these are not flattened and the plants do not have beaver tail-type pads. For instance, C. imbricata is a large opuntiad that can reach 5 to 8 ft-tall; its cylindrical stems look nothing like an Opuntia with pad-type stem joints. Some opuntia relatives (e.g., Pereskiopsis) have leaves that fall within the range of "normal appearing" plant leaves.

In the wrong place Opuntia can be destructive weeds; they can overrun cattle grazing lands and they have become introduced into other continents where they have been serious pests. In addition to ruining grazing areas, Opuntia may also out compete certain native plants and thereby upset ecosystems. Opuntia can have some of the nastiest spines found in cacti, and they also have glochids; therefore, an unfriendly encounter with an Opuntia can leave a lasting bad memory. Glochids are the smaller than spines, they are hair-like or “little spines” that are also produced by areoles.

The emphasis herein is on plants that have the beaver-tail look; these are the prickly pear cacti with the broad pads (cladodes). However, other opuntiads are described as well because they are interesting, or used to be considered Opuntia, etc. Such plants may now be placed into different general such as Nopalea, Cylindropuntia, and Grusonia, etc.