Opuntia soederstromiana

Native to Colombia and Ecuador, this perennial cactus grows as a succulent shrub or small tree in seasonally dry tropical habitats. Flattened, segmented stems carry groups of long spines, and the flowers range from yellow to orange or red. Broad flower petals surround numerous stamens, followed by red-purple fruits with small spines. In Colombia, it grows in dry Andean scrub and along roadsides between about 2,500 and 9,500 feet. It belongs to the prickly-pear group of cacti, whose green stem pads store water and carry out photosynthesis. Photographed in Colombia.