When a cactus moth lays its eggs on an Opuntia cactus, it creates one of nature’s most effective camouflages. The eggs emerge as what is called an “egg stick”, because they look like the cactus spine.

Succulents are often labeled low maintenance, yet many popular varieties benefit from occasional pruning to stay healthy, ...

Background and aims –Opuntia is the most widespread genus of Cactaceae, naturally occurring throughout arid and semi-arid areas of the Americas. Many of the species have taxonomic problems resulting ...

Walnut Creek’s Ruth Bancroft is a national authority on drought-resistant gardening. Twice a month, she and her staff share their knowledge with readers. Prickly pears (aka opuntias) have the widest ...

The Opuntia cactus in Kenya has become a thorn in the side for many residents as it slowly chokes their livelihoods. With thick leafless and fleshy stems, the Opuntia cactus, which is covered in ...

Opuntia, the prickly pear cactus, originated in South America, moved into the valleys of the Andes and then north into Mexico and North America. In Southern California, opuntia grows in the coastal ...

The term nopal refers to the the Opuntia, or prickly pear cactus. Historians widely agree that nopales have been a staple in ...