Opuntia macrocentra 4 millimeters in length with a broad notch on one side and prominent ridge. Because of its striking stem and bloom color the "Opuntia macrocentra" cactus is cultivated as an ornamental plant for drought tolerant and native plant gardens, and as a potted plant. Like many other cacti in the "Opuntia" genus, the fruit produced by "Opuntia macrocentra" is edible. Collection of this cactus, and its fruit, is restricted in some areas for conservation needs. Opuntia macrocentra Opuntia macrocentra, the long-spined purplish prickly pear or purple pricklypear, is a cactus found in the lower Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico.
Opuntia engelmannii (state) to the Tamaulipan matorral in Chihuahua (state), in Mexico. In the Sonoran Desert, terminal pads face predominantly east-west, so as to maximize the absorption of solar radiation during summer rains. Although found occasionally in the Mojave Desert, it tends to be replaced by "Opuntia basilaris", which does not need the summer rain. The overall form of "Opuntia engelmannii" is generally shrubby, with dense clumps up to high, usually with no apparent trunk. The pads are green (rarely blue-green), obovate to round, about 15–30 cm long and 12–20 cm wide. The glochids are yellow initially, then brown with age. Spines