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| stems and fruit | fruits--How on Earth can these fruits be growing new stems? Because these fruits are typically ripe during the winter, Opuntia leptocaulis is sometimes called Christmas cholla. |
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| stems--members of the genus Opuntia that have cylindrical stems (rather than flattened stems, as in prickly-pears) are commonly called chollas (pronounced "choya") | new growth in Spring--these new pads are covered with young leaves, which will fall off once the pads fully expand |
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| succulent leaves in Spring--also notice the spines developin above each young leaf | habit--Opuntia leptocaulis can become very woody with age (the woody shrub in the center of the picture)! |
