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I am not a professional nor an expert in Cactacea or Opuntioideae taxonomy. Any help with ID and spelling are always welcome. To up-date my list I've been using many books, journals, catalogs and other web-sites. It's been helpful, but I have more work to do. I only ship to the main 48 States. I do offer 72+ hour heat packs for $3.00 each. Please read the front page for ordering information.

Note: These plants may be hard to ship without them breaking at a joint. If that happens the broking stem can be root to make a new plant.

Cumulopuntia boliviana ssp. dactylifera - Cumulopuntia boliviana is a cushion-forming cactus densely armed with golden brown spines, native to high elevation deserts around 4000 m in the Andes. It forms large mounds up to 100 cm in diameter. Cumulopuntia boliviana comprises several local or morphological forms that differ slightly in appearance from place to place throughout its range. In cultivation it seem a bit tricky, not developing the dense spines and not usually flowering. Four subspecies are recognized, the typical form (subsp. boliviana), subsp. dactylifera (Vaupel). D.R.Hunt, subsp. echinacea (F.Ritter) D.R.Hunt, subsp. ignescens (Vaupel) D.R.Hunt (Hunt et al. 2006). The complex is often assessed as a single species. Flowers are yellow, rarely orange, pink or red. Chile, Argentina, Peru. Growing in 3 inch pots. - @ $10.00 each

Cumulopuntia leucophaea - Also found as Cumulopuntia sphaerica is a most common species widespread in a wide area from the seaside to high elevations close to the timber line, in somewhat dry areas where the drought may last 3 to 5 months. It grows almost everywhere in many different habitat both on flat terrain and slopes generally at not very high altitudes but higher in more northern (tropical) part of the range where it can be found well above the 3000 metres. In both mesic, arid and very arid environments with rainfall ranging from a maximum of 800 mm per annum to less than 100 mm per annum, and in some years it is possible to have no rainfall at all, but with protection from direct sun through coastal fog (camanchaca). The species thrives in areas fully exposed to the sun, both in level areas and slopes facing north. Cumulopuntia sphaerica is extremely abundant. It is an invasive species, and its population is increasing. This species is not utilized.South America, from central Chile Growing in a 3 1/2 inch pot. - @ $10.00

Grusonia moelleri - Also found as Opuntia moelleri. Forms short clumps. Flowers are light yellow. Chihuahua, Mexico and USA. Growing in 3 inch pots. @ $10.00 each

Mailueniopsis glomeratus ssp. atrospinosus - Maihueniopsis glomerata (copana cactus) is a small cactus species forming low, spreading, strong-jointed, hemispheric clumps. It is a smaller and sometimes less spiny version of Maihueniopsis darwinii, with oval to elongated, egg-shaped stems either erect or prostrate. Throughout its natural range there is considerable variation in segment size, spine colour, spine count per areola etc. such that this species is now to be found under numerous, ill-defined varietal names in cultivation, but these all seem to be forms of this very variable species. Maihueniopsis glomerata resembles some forms of Opuntia fragilis in the shape and size of the joints or stems. It also has the ability to spread itself when loosely attached joints break away from the main plant and root wherever they land. It is interesting that O. fragilis has one of the most northern ranges in the cactus family, while M. glomerata has one of the most southern, being from Patagonia at the southern end of South America. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively by detachment of joints or portions of the plant, which can take root and establish themselves as independent individuals. Light yellow flowers. Argentina, Bolivia, Chile. Growing in a 3 inch pots. @ $10.00 each

Opuntia basilaris crest - This is a smaller prickly pear, branching upwards to 30cm (60 cm) high in clumps up to 90cm (1.2 m) in diameter.They are intensely rose purple with deep magenta-red filaments and white or pink style, stigma is white. (yellow blooming plant are also know).Beaver tail cactus occurs in Arizona, southern Utah, southern Nevada, southern California, north western Mexico (northern Baja California and northern Sonora) From the ridge crest area of Sonora, Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Growing in 4 1/2 pots. - Sold Out

Opuntia chaffeyi - Small annual succulent stems on large rhizome that can become a really cool pot full in time, segments up to 6 inches long (15 cm) in cultivation, much shorter in the wild. Flowers yellowish white, over 1 inch. Mexico - Growing in 4 1/2" x 4" pots. - left to right - #2, #3, @ $13.00 each #1, #4 Sold

Opuntia parryi ssp. serpentina crest - Southern California - Growing in a 6 inch pot. - #1 @ $18.00

Opuntia ramosissima spineless form -This unusual Diamond Cholla is spineless! The pencil-stemmed, blue-gray stems have diamond shaped patterns and yellow flowers. It stands 3-4 ft high and 2" wide. NW Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona. - Growing in 4 1/2 inch pots. - @ $15.00 each

Opuntia rufida - Very round thin pad form. Opuntia rufida is relatively common in Texas, and Adjacent Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango and Zacatecas . Growing in 6 inch pots. - #1, #2, $3 @ $15.00 each

Opuntia sulphurea - Is a low and spreading or erect shrub, forming broad clumps 1 to 2 meters in diameter, 30-40 cm high. The joints are conspicuously tuberculate. The spines are very dense and stiff, whitish at first, but somewhat yellowish, horncolored, brownish to red in age. Several varieties of this species, some of which have been described, are given, such as laevior, major, minor, and pallidior. Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate, Subsp. brachyacantha and Subsp. spinibarbis. All have sulphur yellow flowers, hence the specific name. Spines are 1 to 8, acicular, stiff, thick, generally straight but sometimes curved and twisted, spreading, 3 to 10 cm long, yellowish, brownish, red or grey, but sometimes quite pale (white and pink) at first. Flowers are about 4 cm. long, yellow. Stems are joints flattened, oblong to obovate, (8-)12 to 25(-30) cm long, , 3-7 cm wide, thick, strongly tuberculate, glabrous, usually green but sometimes purplish; terminal joints easily detached. Dose best in full sun. Growing in 6" inch pots. - left to right - #1, #2 @ $30.00 each

Puna bonnieae DJF319 - Also known as Maihueniopsis bonnieae, best known in cultivation as Puna bonnieae, is a small geophytic opuntioid that looks like a small Tephrocactus geometricus, but the bloom, fruit and the seeds clearly show its autonomous nature. During the dry season they are hidden in the ground. It forms slowly small cushion up to 15 cm in diameter. Flower are light pink to pinkish. Argentina, Bolivia. Growing in 3 inch pots. Sold Out

Puna clavariodes - Also known as Maihueniopsis clavarioides, more commonly known as Puna clavarioides or Opuntia clavarioides, is a low growing geophyte cactus consisting of clusters of subterranean greyish brown conical or club-shaped stems, arising from large, swollen roots. In the wild it grows with just the tops of the stems exposed above ground. In cultivation this plant takes on a much different character than its wild brethren. To grow the plant like it is in habitat we would need to start out with a seed and a deep pot, since this strange and wonderful plant does something few cactido: when the seed germinates it throws down a root first thing, and when the root gets deep enough it begins to make a tuber to store water for hard times. (Life in habitat is hard all the time). The part of the root above the tuber becomes what is called the neck, which connects the deep, tuberous roots to the aboveground heads of the plant. Several new cone-shaped stems emerge and grow each year from the top of the neck. At summer's end the underground parts of the plant contract, and since the stems cannot enter the soil, they break off, shrivel and get blown away. Flowers are light yellow. Had to laugh at these common names: Dead man's fingers, Mushroom opuntia. Argentina. Growing in 3 inch pots. - @ $10.00 each

Puna subterranea - Also known as Maihueniopsis subterranea. Small plant geophytic opuntioid cacti with very tuberous root which in remains half buried in habitat, showing approximately 1 cm. from the ground. Plants have usually few segments (up to 6). But at the northern localities this species can grow with dozends of segments. The form "incahuasii" with greener and thinner stems forms large clumps with more than 100 heads. This species is very variable and there are many forms of Puna subterranea. It looks like a small Tephrocactus, but the bloom, fruit and the seeds clearly show its autonomous nature. The flower colour ranges from brown to deep rose red to a pale yellowish rose and rare, but possible with almost white. Pericarpels without areoles but with a few scales bearing hairs and long bristles in the axils. Argentina, Bolivia. Growing in a 3 1/2 inch pot. Sold

Tephrocactus alexanderi ssp. bruchii - Tephrocactus alexanderi var. bruchii is generally included within (as a synonym of) Tephrocactus alexanderi, suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between the two, and hard to name accurately without knowing where they come from, and there remains a considerable confusion surrounding the true identity of this this plant. Tephrocactus alexanderi var. bruchii has roundish joints the size of a tennis ball, dark spreading-spines and beautiful white flowers, sometimes a well-defined pink-blue tint. The seeds are quite characteristic about 5,9-8.5 x 5.6 to 7.1 mm yellowish-white, sponge-like, highly irregular in shape and gnarled. Seeds vary considerably in size. However the distinguishing characteristics of var. bruchii , appear to fall within the natural variation of Tephrocactus alexanderi. Most authors have dismissed Tephrocactus alexanderi var. bruchii as perhaps not worthy of even varietal status, but it still has a value for a collector because they identify plants with particular characters. Argentina. Growing in a 6 inch pot. Sold

Tephrocactus alexanderi - This one has a dry scar at the base. Tephrocactus alexanderi is a small low depressed or erect succulent plant with some spherical branches forming spiny cushions. It is found in the provinces of La Rioja and Salta, Argentina. Growing in a 4 1/2 inch. - #2 @ $20.00

Tephrocactus aoracanthus - Tephrocactus aoracanthus is one of the most hazardous species with fierce, wonderful spines. The spines are very stiff and stick out to every thing that enter in contact with them, this way the stems segment spread around in the environment. Plants erect that will form clumps with some branching with age, 30-100 cm high and 1-3 metres in diameter, but usually couldn’t get very tall as segment kept falling apart. Flowers are large, white to light pink. Argentina. Growing in a 6 inch pot. - #1 @ $35.00

Tephrocactus aoracanthus ssp. paediophilus - Tephrocactus aoracanthus var. paediophilus is an extraordinary variety that shows wonderful spines to as much as 30 cm long (the longest in the genus Tephrocactus). These spines are papery but still sharp enough to molest anything that gets near it! The spines are stiff and stick out to every thing that enter in contact with them, this way the stems segment spread around in the environment. Delicate alabaster white flowers are rarely produced. Large, white to light pink flowers. Argentina. Growing in a 3 1/2 inch pot. Sold

Tephrocactus curvispinus - Also found it with this name Tephrocactus recurvata. Haven't found no information about the plant just the name with photos of the plant. Growing in a 3 inch pot. - Sold

Tephrocactus darwinia ssp. hickenii - Also found as Maihueniopsis darwinii var. hickenii is a very decorative variety distinguished from var. darwinii for the more numerous, broader, flatter, somewhat flexible and showier, spines, but it is much slower growing. The spines are are more numerous on the upper half of the egg-shaped stems. It make low, thick mats or mounds that appear to be quite small above ground. The flowers are yellowish orange about 2.5 cm wide. Argentina and Chile. Growing in 3 1/2 pots. - left to right - #1, #2 @ $13.00 each

Tephrocactus molinensis red spine form - It is a small segmented succulent that grows into mounds of tiny stems or joints. In cultivation grows as a small erect segment chains. In habitat the plants stay smaller because the uppermost segments are detachable and drop easily. It is related to Tephrocactus articulatus and reminds some spineless forms of it. Flowers dirty white or very pale pink. Argentina. Growing in in 3 inch pots. - @ $10.00 each

Tephrocactus strobiformis - Also found as Tephrocactus articulatus var. strobiliformis. Segmented succulent slowly growing up to up to 30 cm. Small pine-cone shaped that are loosely attached to each other and fall easily.The white flowers made a nice contrast to the earth-tone colours of the plant. Western Argentina. Growing in 3 inch pots. @ $10.00 each

Tephrocactus weberi white spine form - It is a small shrubby species branching both basally and above that will eventually develop into a moderately large, open clump up to 20 cm tall and will reward the patient gardener with a display of yellow. It is quite variable. Flowers bright lemon yellow or golden yellow. Central and Northern Argentina. Growing in 3 1/2 inch pot. Sold

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