OPUNTIAS BELOW THE BORDER
Introduction
There are many Opuntia species south of the United States. Mexico has a multitude of species, many apparently unidentified.
The Details
Opuntia species are found throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and many countries of South America. As in the United States, they are the most numerous group of cacti.
In Mexico, opuntias grow in mountainous regions as well as in tropical and coastal areas. Some northern species cross the border and occur in both Mexico and the United States.
The variety of prickly-pear species in Latin America is enormous. The most familiar species is O. ficus-indica, a large, tree-like plant. Small Opuntia species can be found, but none are reported to be as tiny as O. pusilla or O. fragilis, which occur in the United States. Many opuntias are about the size of O. phaeacantha or O. dulcis.
O. sulphurea and its varieties are common throughout much of South America. It is a handsome plant with twisted, thick spines.
More reading: Seed Germination in Opuntia Streptacantha
