Opuntia rastrera Opuntia rastrera Opuntia rastrera is a prickly pear which grows in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí. It is known in Spanish as cuija, although that name can also refer to other cactuses such as "Brasiliopuntia". "Opuntia rastrera" can be found in bajada, hill-piedmont, and interdune habitats in locations such as the Mapimi biosphere reserve, where it is sometimes the most common cactus in a given location, or sometimes a secondary cactus. In order to germinate, the seeds require a dormancy period of at least a year. As with other "Opuntia" species, mechanical or chemical scarification does not seem
Opuntia ficus-indica limit of prickly pear is above 50 °C. As the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica are delicate, they need to be carefully harvested by hand. The small spines on the fruits are removed by rubbing them on an abrasive surface or sweeping them through grass. Before consumption, they are peeled and sliced. The pads of the plant (mainly used as fodder) also need to be harvested by hand. The pads are cut with a knife, detaching the pad from the plant in the joint. If Opuntia ficus-indica is cultivated for forage production, spineless cultivars are preferred. However, also wild types of