Opuntia cacanapa stigma. The leaves are notable because they recurve strongly. 'Ellisiana' is a special selection of "O. cacanapa" that has no spines and no glochids. Thus, it is smooth to the touch. It is moderately cold hardy and is used in cactus gardens as far north as northern Virginia. Opuntia cacanapa Opuntia cacanapa is a cactus in the "Opuntia" genus. In the United States it is found on the South Texas Plains in Brewster County and adjacent counties to the southeast. It also occurs in nearby Mexico. The plants are variable in size, but can form shrubby trees from 1 to
Opuntia arenaria strongly deflexed and much shorter. Overall, plants (clumps) of cladodes may be 20–30 cm across and about 4–8 cm tall. Fruits are small, about 2.5 cm. Opuntia arenaria Opuntia arenaria was considered a variety of "O. polyacantha" by many botanists, and is still treated that way in the Flora of North America. However, "O. arenaria" is diploid and "O. polyacantha" is tetraploid. It was described by Engelmann in 1856. "Opuntia arenaria" can grow in soil that is essentially pure sand. It has rhizomes up to 1.5 m long that give rise to above ground shoots with small cladodes that are