Opuntia subulata is a shrubby cactus that belongs to the Cactaceae family. It is native to the Andes of Peru and is now one of the most widely distributed Opuntia species in South America, particularly in Argentina and Bolivia. It is also widely cultivated as natural fencing and has been naturalized in parts of southern Europe and elsewhere in the tropics as an ornamental plant. This cactus is characterized by cylindrical, branching trunks with small thorns and awl-shaped leaves. The leaves are relatively large and persistent, green, more succulent than on other species, nearly at right angles to the branch, straight or somewhat bowed above, nearly terete, pointed, 5 to 12 cm long, grooved on the underside. The stem is smooth cylindrical and bright green with persistent long and fleshy needle-like leaves.
Here are some tips for growing and caring for Opuntia subulata: