Opuntia cespitosa Opuntia cespitosa Opuntia cespitosa, commonly called the eastern prickly pear, is a species of cactus native to North America. It most common west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River, where it is found in the Midwest, Upper South and in Ontario. Its natural habitat is in dry, open areas, such as outcrops, glades, and barrens. "Opuntia cespitosa" is a prostrate succulent shrub, usually no more than 1-2 segments tall. It has large white spines, and a low layer of reddish-brown glochids, which break off in the skin if touched. It produces a yellow and red flower
Opuntia bentonii (less inclinded to narrow at the base). "O. bentonii" plants have fewer spines than "O. lindheimeri", zero to 3 (often only 1 or 2). One important difference is that the stigmas of "O. bentonii" flowers are yellow and not green as in "O. lindheimeri." Another individual feature of "O. bentonii" is that the veins are often visible between areoles. Opuntia bentonii Opuntia bentonii was proposed by some botanists to be a synonym of "Opuntia stricta". However, "O. bentonii", which grows in Texas, is separate and distinct from "O. stricta." "O. bentonii" was clearly described by Griffiths in 1911. Along with