Opuntia atrispina at the tips but dark brown at the bases. Opuntia atrispina Opuntia atrispina is a cactus species in the "Opuntia" genus. It has limited distribution in the United States. In Texas it can be found from near Uvalde to Del Rio/Langtry—a small strip of area just 50 miles long. The flowers on these small shrubs are special because they open pale yellow (sometimes almost white) and darken with age to rose. Thus, the plants can be adorned with flowers of multiple colors: cream, yellow, salmon, and rose. Newly opened flowers can even have a hint of green in the middle.
Opuntia ficus-indica the wild origin of "O. ficus-indica" is likely to have been in Mexico due to the fact that its close genetic relatives are found in central Mexico. "Opuntia ficus-indica" is polyploid, hermaphrodite and autogamous. As "Opuntia" species grow in semi-arid environments, the main limiting factor in their environment is water. They have developed a number of adaptations to dry conditions, notably succulence. The perennial shrub "Opuntia ficus-indica" can grow up to 3-5m height, with thick, succulent and oblong to spatulate stems called cladodes. It has a water-repellent and sun-reflecting waxy epidermis. Cladodes that are 1–2 years old produce flowers, the