opuntia

noun opun·tia \ ō-ˈpən(t)-sh(ē-)ə \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Definition of opuntia

: any of a large genus (Opuntia) of American cacti with usually yellow flowers and flat or cylindrical jointed stem segments typically studded with tubercles bearing spines or prickly hairs — compare cholla, prickly pear

Recent Examples of opuntia from the Web

Choices include euphorbia resinifera for acropora (also known as staghorn coral); opuntia microdasys monstrose for turbinaria; deuterocohnia brevifolia for galaxea; and mammillaria pilcayensis (bristle brush cactus) for dendrogyra or pillar coral.

— martina schimitschek, sandiegouniontribune.com, "At Scripps, a seascape landscape," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opuntia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.