Opuntia Cactaceae
This is a “crazy, mixed-up” group of cacti. They come in so many sizes, shapes, and forms that any generalized description is impossible. Many optunias are hardy even in Northern gardens.
mamillata—boxing gloves—Resembles a little tree whose branches turn into cockscombs at the tip.
microdasys—bunny ears—Flat, long-oval pads with tiny tufts of soft yellow hairs.
Parodia Cactaceae
Fat little balls covered with glistening spines and sending out unbelievably large flowers although the plant measures only an inch across the middle. Even in old age, they’re never larger than three inches.
aureispina—Tom Thumb cactus—Gold spines, orange flowers.
mutabilis—Shining yellow flowers.
Portulacaria afra variegata Portulacaceae Rainbow Bush
After planting this little tree-like succulent in a dish garden when it was only three inches tall, and finding it less than half an inch taller nearly a year later, I was mildly amazed to learn that it is a version of the twelve-foot elephant bush, or purslane tree, of desert gardens. It’s difficult to imagine the fat red stems and fleshy, cream-splashed, red-rimmed leaves ever adorning a plant of such monstrous proportions.