Cactus family
Description
A large family comprising of plants with succulent stems (Cactaceae 3), bearing tufts of spines (Cactaceae 1), and leaves that are reduced or absent . The flowers are solitary, sessile, regular and showy with many stamens and an inferior ovary. The fruit is a juicy or leathery berry.
There are about 100 genera, occurring mainly in the semi-deserts of America.
Use
The subfamily Opuntioideae is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruits (Cactaceae 2).
Described species
Opuntia sp., cactus fig or prickly pear
Opuntia ficus-indica., Indian fig, see Opuntia sp.