SHINER CAC 
Opuntia vulgaris variegata 
(monoeantha) 
Opuntia 
brasiliensis 
Opuntia erinacea 
Opuntia polyacantha 
Opuntia streptacantha 
S NURSERY 
9 
VOLUME I—“THE CACTACEAE” 
OPUNTIEAE 
Pereskia pereskia—West Indies, South America. Is the nearest cactus 
relative to other plant families. Vine-like with leaves, large and flat but fleshy; 
glochids wanting. It is commonly called the “mother of all cactus”, being the 
most primitive form. 
Pereskiopsis chapistle—Oaxaca, Morelos, Mexico. Tall growing branching 
shrubs; branches widely spreading; spines long, white stout; leaves fleshy. Dif¬ 
ferent from Pereskia and from Opuntia, it is an intermediate form. 
Nopalea, represented in collections by some 8 species must next be consider¬ 
ed by those interested in the evolution of Opuntieae. Four popular species avail¬ 
able for collectors—N. cochenillifera, N. auberi, N. dejecta, and N. inaperta. 
Between Nopalea and Opuntia come several South American genera not ob¬ 
tainable by the average collector. 
OPUNTIA 
This genus of 3 Sub-genera namely Cylindropuntia, Tephrocactus and Platy- 
opuntia, has mariy species and wide distribution from Canada to southern South 
America. The best known U. S. Cylindropuntias are the '‘chollas” or slender 
jointed tree cactus of our western desert states. 
Opuntia microdasys—Mexico. Joints soft velvety, usually pale green, spine¬ 
less; areoles conspicuous, closely set, filled with yellow glochids; long a favorite 
in collections. Species with reddish brown glochids is Opuntia rufida. 
Opuntia vulgaris (monoeantha) variegata—Joints are green blotched with 
white or yellow. Attractive species in a collection. 
Opuntia erinacea—N. W. Arizona, S. Utah, S. Nevada, E. California. Grows 
in small, low clumps; spines usually white, sometimes brownish, develop into long 
hairs or bristles, 2-5 inches long. 
Opuntia polyacantha—From Texas into W. Canada. Low spreading clumps; 
areoles closely set, all spiny; spines white to brown; flowers lemon yellow; fruit 
dry. With wide range of forms some may have pink to red flowers. Photograph— 
C. W. Armstrong, Vancouver, Canada. 
Opuntia streptacantha—Deserts of San Luis Potosi and south. Much branch¬ 
ed, stout trunk; joints dark green; areoles small, close, spines numerous, white 
spreading or appressed; glochids reddish brown, short. One of the most import¬ 
ant economic opuntias in Mexico, known as “tuna cardona”. Photograh by 
courtesy of Prof. Helia Bravo. 
Opuntia brasiliensis—S. America. Of wide distribution. Interesting for its 
cylindric woody trunk and tree form. Very satisfactory in cultivation. 
