Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A genus of cacti, type of the tribe Opuntieæ in the order Cactaceæ, having the stamens shorter than the half-erect petals.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • proper noun (Bot.) A genus of cactaceous plants; the prickly pear, or Indian fig.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun large genus of cactuses native to America: prickly pears

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Natural produce nutritionists tout nopal en polvo (powdered prickly pear pads) and Opuntia (Opuntia is the scientific name for prickly pears) capsules as dietary supplements useful in promoting weight loss.

    Nopales, tunas and pitayas 2007

  • Natural produce nutritionists tout nopal en polvo (powdered prickly pear pads) and Opuntia (Opuntia is the scientific name for prickly pears) capsules as dietary supplements useful in promoting weight loss.

    Nopales, tunas and pitayas 2007

  • The San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center is home to about 250 varieties of prickly pear, otherwise known as Opuntia ficus-indica.

    Home By Joan Obra / The Fresno Bee 2010

  • Studies have shown that the presence of introduced ungulates can shift the balance of species found on the islands; areas rife with ungulates tend to be dominated by grazer-resistant species such as Opuntia, while other areas have a higher proportion of grazer-sensitive species.

    Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire cactus scrub 2008

  • The thorny vegetation in the dry pocket is composed mainly of several cacti, such as Opuntia spp.,

    Magdalena Valley dry forests 2007

  • - planting sorghum and maize under or in association with Faidherbia a/bide (Acacia albida) or groundnut with Faidherbia or cactus such as Opuntia ficus indica with mesquite (Prosopis juliflora).

    Chapter 6 1994

  • The principal species are xerophytic and include the cactus species Bursera graveolens, Croton scouleri, Brachycereus nesioticus, Jasminocereus thouarsii (R) and Opuntia echios ssp.

    Galápagos National Park & Galápagos Marine Resources Reserve, Ecuador 2009

  • The Acacia and Opuntia are most common in grazed areas of the island.

    Aruba-Curaçao-Bonaire cactus scrub 2008

  • The cactus Pilosocereus colombianus is also present, along with Opuntia sp.

    Patía Valley dry forests 2008

  • Nopales (prickly pears from the genus Opuntia) and cardos (chollas) grow in most desert habitats, and one may enjoy a variety of tuna (prickly pear fruits) colors, sizes, and flavors in Durangan desert.

    Wildflower hunting in Durango 2008

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