Opuntia lindheimeri Opuntia lindheimeri Opuntia lindheimeri is s cactus which is treated by some botanists as a species separate and distinct from "O. engelmannii". Britton and Rose also considered that "O. lindheimeri" is a stand-alone species as did Engelmann who described it in 1850. The point is not settled, and other botanists accept "O. lindheimeri" as a variety of "O. engelmannii". Whatever their taxonomic relationship, the plants are easily distinguished when grown side-by-side and do not generally overlap in their natural ranges. Almost any large "Opuntia" in TX, NM, or AZ has probably been misidentified or misunderstood over the years, and "O.
Opuntia ficus-indica the Mediterranean basin. Under those hedges and adjacent areas soil physical properties, nitrogen and organic matter are considerably improved. Structural stability of the soil is enhanced, runoff and erosion are reduced, while water storage capacity and permeability is enhanced. Prickly pear plantations also have a positive impact on plant growth of other species by improving severe environmental conditions which facilitate colonization and development of herbaceous species. Opuntia ficus-indica is being advantageously used in Tunisia and Algeria to slow and direct sand movement and enhance the restoration of vegetative cover, minimizing deterioration of built terraces with its deep and strong rooting