仙人掌屬多肉質灌木，原產中墨西哥，入侵全球乾旱地區，如印度、澳洲。高1~4.5m，老幹基部常呈圓柱形；扁平或圓柱狀的莖，一片片連接在一起，有刺或無刺。春夏季開黃色花。果實成熟紅至黃橘色。

A succulent shrub in the genus Opuntia, native to Mexico, now invading arid regions worldwide, such as India and Australia. It grows to heights of 1~4.5m and the old stem base is often cylindrical; flat or cylindrical stems are connected one by one, with spines or spineless. Yellow flowers bloom in spring and summer. The mature fruits are red to yellow orange.

栽培：全日照通風環境下可生長良好，日照充足時能促進開花。為了防止爛根等情形，種植時需採用排水透氣的介質。因為植株較大型，戶外栽培可立支柱避免颱風吹襲倒伏。繁殖使用扦插、播種法。

The plant enjoys full-sun ventilation environments, and sufficient sunshine can promote flowering. Plant in well-drained and breathable medium soil to prevent roots from rotting. Considering the plant is large, a supportive system like columns is required to buttress and protect the plant from being toppled by typhoons if planted outdoors. Reproduced by cutting and seeding.

果實可以食用，維生素C含量高，在墨西哥是尋常的食用水果。無刺品種或去刺後的莖可以烹調後食用或餵牛。莖可餵養胭脂介殼蟲，用以提煉紅色色素。

The fruit is edible and contains rich vitamin C, a common fruit in Mexico. Stems of spineless varieties or with spines removed can be cooked to consume or to feed cattle. The stem can be food for Dactylopius coccus which can be used to extract red pigment.