All have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves. Chollas are also members of the Opuntia genus but have cylindrical, jointed stems rather than flat pads. But members of the Opuntia genus are unique because of their their clusters of fine, tiny, barbed spines called glochids . Found just above the cluster of regular spines, glochids are yellow or red in color and detach easily from the pads.
Glochids are often difficult to see and more difficult to remove, once lodged in the skin.
Because of the glochids, great care is required when harvesting or preparing prickly pear cactus. Most require course, well-drained soil in dry, rocky flats or slopes. Description Most prickly pear cactus have yellow, red or purple flowers, even among the same species. Pads can vary in width, length, shape and color. The Beavertail, Santa Rita and Blind Pear are regarded as spineless, but all have glochids.