Opuntia Collection

Prickly pear cactus flowers. This cactus is part of the Opuntia genus, which is found throughout most of the Americas. Cacti are found in arid environments, like the one seen here

Jardin de Cactus near Guatiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Cochineal beetle, Dactylopius coccus, on a
Cochineal beetle, Dactylopius coccus (Coccus cacti) on a prickly pear cactus, Opuntia species. Handcoloured lithograph from Georg Friedrich Treitschkes Gallery of Natural History

Eastern prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica (Opuntia vulgaris). Handcoloured lithograph by D. Blair after an illustration by Lena Lowis from her Familiar Indian Flowers with Coloured Plates, L

Pinzon giant tortoise (Chelonoidis duncanensis), saddleback type typical of arid island, their long necks and raised shell allowing them to browse on cacti

Nazca booby (Sula granti), pair amongst Prickly pear (Opuntia sp) cacti at coast. Wolf Island, Galapagos. August 2016

Prickly pear or Indian fig opuntia, Opuntia ficus-indica (Opuntia vulgaris). Chromolithograph from an illustration by Desire Bois from Edward Steps Favourite Flowers of Garden and Greenhouse

Madam gorgon, Acicarpha tribuloides. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Jussieus Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali, Dictionary of Natural Science, Florence, Italy, 1837

Coralline species, Corallina auriculariaeformis. (Cactus coralline, Halimedia opuntia?) Handcoloured copperplate engraving by James Sowerby from The British Miscellany, or Coloured figures of new

Europe, Italy, Sardinia. The view over the Lago del Cedrino

Prickly pear cactus is known by several other names, such as cactus fruit, nopal, and opuntia. Abreiro, Mirandela. Tras os Montes, Portugal

Prickly pears on Opuntia cactus. Portugal

Spain, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Cruz del Carmen, View of the Anaga Mountains from the trail from Cruz del Carmen to Punta del Hidalgo

Santa Fe land iguana (Conolophus pallidus) among Giant prickly pear cactus (Opuntia echios) forest. Santa Fe Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Water flooding across Prickly pear (Opuntia sp. ) landscape, South Texas, USA. May, 2021
Water flooding across Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) landscape, South Texas, USA. May, 2021

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp. ) flower covered in water droplets, close up, Texas, USA. April
Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.) flower covered in water droplets, close up, Texas, USA. April

Katydid (Tettigoniidae) on Prickly pear (Opuntia sp. ) flower, Texas, USA. May
Katydid (Tettigoniidae) on Prickly pear (Opuntia sp.) flower, Texas, USA. May

Close up of a cactus, South Plaza Island, Galapagos islands, Ecuador. Date: 03-11-2017

Sesuvium edmonstonei and cactus, South Plaza Island, Galapagos islands, Ecuador. Date: 03-11-2017

Carpet weed along with Opuntia prickly pear cactus, South Plaza Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Date: 28-07-2021

DDE-90032503
Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) (Tettigoniidae) hidden in a fat plant (Opuntia microdasys) Date: 22/07/2009

Sycamore, silver fir, foxglove, prickly pear, etc
6337632 Sycamore, silver fir, foxglove, prickly pear, etc by Stanghi (19th century); (add.info.: Old World sycamore, Platanus orientalis, silver fir, Abies picea, foxglove, Digitalis purpurea)

Close-up of a prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) showing thorns in Andalusia, Spain

Santa Fe land iguana (Conolophus pallidus) with Giant prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia echios), Santa Fe Island, Galapagos, South America

Galapagos carpetweed (Sesuvium edmonstonei) and giant Opuntia (Opuntia sp)
Galapagos carpetweed (Sesuvium edmonstonei) and giant Opuntia (Opuntia sp.) cacti, beneath a rainbow at sunset, Plazas Island, Galapagos, South America

Tree cholla in bloom, high desert of Edgewood, New Mexico

Close up of a cactus, South Plaza Island, Galapagos islands, Ecuador

Sesuvium edmonstonei and cactus, South Plaza Island, Galapagos islands, Ecuador

False Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera truncata (Epiphyllum truncatum). Chromolithograph from an illustration by Desire Bois from Edward Steps Favourite Flowers of Garden and Greenhouse

Tall yellow eye, Xyris operculata, Siride coperchiata. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Antoine Laurent de Jussieus Dizionario delle Scienze Naturali, Dictionary of Natural Science

Tropical fruits, fruits de serre chaude ou temperee. Guava, Psidium guajava 1, passionfruit, Passiflora caerulea 2, pineapple, Ananas comosus 3, pomegranate, Puncia granatum 4 and prickly pear

Cochineal cactus, Nopalea cochenillifera, Opuntia cochenillifera, Cactus cochenillifer, Cactus coccinellifer, Cactus a cochenilles

Salm-Dycks prickly pear cactus, Opuntia salmiana
Salm-dycks prickly pear cactus, Opuntia salmiana. Named for the botanist Prince Joseph zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck. Handcoloured lithograph from Louis van Houtte

Common dwarf Indian fig, Cactus opuntia. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Weddell after a botanical illustration by John Curtis from William Curtis Botanical Magazine, Samuel Curtis, London, 1823

Cochineal cactus and Kermes oak
Cochineal cactus or Indian fig opuntia, Opuntia ficus-indica, with cochineal beetle, Dactylopius coccus. Kermes beetle, Kermes vermilio, with Kermes oak, Quercus coccifera

Plants of the Mediterranean (colour litho)
3630335 Plants of the Mediterranean (colour litho) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Plants of the Mediterranean)

Cochineal beetles (chromolitho)
2782768 Cochineal beetles (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cochineal beetles. Liebig card, published in late 19th or early 20th century)

Cereus Cadelaris and Opuntia (engraving)
968224 Cereus Cadelaris and Opuntia (engraving) by Riou, Edouard (1833-1900) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cereus Cadelaris and Opuntia)

Prickly Pear cactus, USA

Santa Fe land iguana (Conolophus pallidus) next to Tree Prickly pear (Opuntia echios) Santa Fe Island, Galapagos

Tree prickly pear (Opuntia echios) trees silhouetted, with star trails behind. Plazas Island, Galapagos

Opuntia cactus and volcanic caldera, Wolf Volcano, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, December 2008

Pelargonium, Pelargonium cultivar
Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia cochenillifera, Close up of purple coloured fruit-

Coastal prickly pear cactus, Opuntia, Opuntia littoralis
Cactus, Coastal Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia littoralis, Detail showing pattern of spiky needles.-

Prickly pear cactus, Opuntia, Opuntia cochenillifera
Cactus, Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia cochenillifera, Detail of spiky plant against blue sky.-

Tunicata cactus, Opuntia, Opuntia tunicata
Cactus, Tunicata Cactus, Opuntia tunicata, Detail showing pattern of spiky needles.-

Evergreen Cactus Desert plant Flowering season Spring
Opuntia cochenillifera Prickly pear cactus Pink subject

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia mercerize) close-up of stamen and petals of flower, Red Corral Ranch, Texas, USA

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Opuntia, also known as the prickly pear cactus, is a fascinating plant found in various parts of the world. One can witness its beauty at Jardin de Cactus near Guatiza, Lanzarote in the Canary Islands of Spain. The vibrant flowers of this species add a splash of color to the arid landscape. In Santa Fe Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, one can observe an enchanting sight - the Santa Fe land iguana amidst a forest of Giant prickly pear cacti. These unique creatures have adapted perfectly to their surroundings and blend seamlessly with their spiky companions. The Eastern prickly pear, Opuntia ficus-indica, hosts an unexpected guest - the Cochineal beetle (Dactylopius coccus). This tiny insect thrives on these cacti and has been historically used for dye production due to its vivid red pigment. Prickly pears are not only home to insects but also provide shelter for various animals. The Nazca booby finds solace among these resilient plants along coastal regions. Similarly, the Galapagos sea lion seeks refuge within forests dominated by Giant prickly pear cacti on Santa Fe Island. Opuntia ficus-indica is commonly referred to as Indian fig opuntia or simply prickly pear. Its succulent fruits are enjoyed worldwide for their sweet taste and health benefits. Nature never ceases to amaze us with its diversity. Madam gorgon (Acicarpha tribuloides) and coralline species like Corallina auriculariaeformis thrive alongside Opuntia in symbiotic harmony. Even Pinzon giant tortoises (Chelonoidis duncanensis), specifically those with saddleback shells typical of arid islands, find comfort among these thorny plants. Their ability to adapt showcases nature's incredible resilience.