Opuntioideae is a subfamily of the cactus family Cactaceae, composed by 15 genera and about 300 species. They may have leaves when they are young, but these are lost later. Their stems are usually divided into distinct "joints" or "pads".
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Opuntia stricta (Erect Prickly Pear) is a cactus that grows as erect or spreading shrub, up 6.6 feet (2 m) tall, with fleshy, dull green to grey-green…
Opuntia polyacantha (Plains Prickly Pear) is a cactus that grows up to 16 inches (40 cm) tall and forms low mats of pads up to 10 feet (3 m) wide. Its…
Cylindropuntia hystrix is a shrubby cactus with cylindrical segments covered with long spines. Segments are green, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, and with…
Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis is a tree-like cactus that grows up to 66 feet (20 m) tall. It shows thin, slightly shrunken cladodes on a central…
Opuntia tomentosa (Velvet Tree Pear) is an upright, tree-like cactus, up to 26 feet (8 m) tall, with a single, woody main stem at its base. Its stems are…
Cylindropuntia imbricata (Tree Cholla) is a tree-like cactus, up to 10 feet (3 m) tall, with a short, woody trunk and a number of upright…
Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Gumby', also known as Opuntia 'Gumby', is a dwarf, monstrose form of Austrocylindropuntia subulata. It is an…
Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. cristata is a rare, crested form of Austrocylindropuntia subulata. The crested branches slowly form…
Maihueniopsis clavarioides f. cristata (Crested Dead Man's Fingers) is a low growing cactus up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. The typical form…
Opuntia monacantha f. variegata is a fast growing, shrubby or tree-like cactus, up to 20 feet (6 m) tall. The stem segments are oblong to…