OPUNTIA
(including Tephrocactus)
Opuntia microdasys - "rabbit's ear" - though you often get them with more 'ears' (I have one with 5). As with most Opuntias, watch out for the glochids - the tiny hairs on the aureoles. They seem to prefer to be embedded in human skin that actually on the plant and are very difficult to winkle out because they are so small (but painful). Also, as with most of the 'pad' like Opuntias, if a pad breaks off it will easily root when put in soil.
Habitat - Mexico
Max Size - 39 x 50
Flower - yellow
Flower Size - 1.6
Clumps - shrub like
Often seen in garden centres, this is an Opuntia monstrosum
This Opuntia microdasys had a very 'ear-like' curved pad, and I was interested to see how it developed from there, but something had used the convenient shape to string a web/cocoon across. Only the pupal case remains but the grub has nibbled the pad before taking flight.
Opuntia prolifera
Opuntia schickendantzii
Opuntia subulata and flower
Tephrocactus articulata