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 ovaries per carpel. Placentation is parietal, and the fruit is a berry with arillate seeds. Prickly pear species can vary greatly in habit; most are shrubs, but some, such as "Opuntia echios" of the Galápagos, are trees. "O. ficus-indica" thrives in regions with mild winters having a prolonged dry spell followed by hot summers with occasional rain and relatively low humidity. A mean annual rainfall of provides good growth rates. "O. ficus-indica" proliferates in various soils ranging from sub-acid to sub-alkaline, with clay content not exceeding 15-20% and the soil well-drained. The shallow root system enables the plant to grow