Austrocylindropuntia subulata monstrose

These are sometimes sold as the "Christmas Tree" cactus and understandably so. Just today at our little sale in the yard, a person commented that they looked like little Christmas trees. Not that this picture shows that off too well... Maybe it's a Christmas Tree farm.

Actually, what it is, of course, is Austrocylindropuntia subulata monstrose. OK, I understand why they don't push this name in the stores. It's a mouthful. But it tells you quite a bit: Austro (south or southern) cylindro (cylindrical) opuntia (a member of the opuntiads, a grouping of plants in the cactus family). It comes from the higher elevations in Ecuador and Peru and is quite easy to grow.