Expert: Greg Simpson - 10/29/2006

Question
I am trying to identify a cactus that I found behind my fence. My dog ended up with thorns in her because of it and there is no way that she could have gotten to it unless it shot the thorns at her. Can you give me a suggestion as to a website that may have some pictures of wild cactus? The websites that I have looked at only seem to have ones that you would want to buy. The cactus has thorns about an inch and a half long, brown stripes with green ends, both ends. The cactus itself is round flat leaves about a half inch thick that attach to each other making like a chain of the leaves, three round leaves per arm of the cactus. Please let me know whether you know what this is or can suggest a website.

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Cheryl,

It is an Opuntia (prickly pear cactus). Try this website: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Opuntia.html

They have a lot of pictures available. If all else fails, send a picture to gregandkat@msn.com and I'll try to identify it.

Sincerely,

Greg