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opuntia

noun
opun·​tia | \ ō-ˈpən(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce opuntia (audio) \

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

Examples of opuntia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on 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

First Known Use of opuntia

1601, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for opuntia

Latin, a plant, from feminine of opuntius of Opus, from Opunt-, Opus Opus, ancient city in Greece

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