Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Opuntia galapageia group

• Opuntia galapageia Hensl.: (var. galapageia) tree-like, forming trunks, but showing a great range of variation in habit, armament of joints, and character of spines. Distribution: sea level on Bartolome, Pinta, and San Salvador Islands.
• Opuntia galapageia var. macrocarpa E.Y.Dawson: Has larger fruits, longer leveas and fewer glochids. Endemic of Pinzon Island in the shrubby areas at a higher elevation (above 175 m) than the other varieties which all grow near sea level.
• Opuntia galapageia var. profusa E.F.Anderson & Walk.: Grows shrubby and produces an extraordinary number of fruits on each cladode ( up to 82). Distribution: Endemic of Rabida (Jervis) Island at sea level and it is found on no other islands.