Echinocactus grussonii
When we think of cacti, a plant full of thorns immediately comes to mind, which cannot have any use other than ornamental, but the truth is that it may surprise us. And a lot, since there are a series of species that are also useful in the kitchen.
So if you want to know what are the uses of cacti, then you will find out.
Ornamental use
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- Echinopsis oxygona
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- Lobivia winteriana
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- Rebutia brunneoradicata
Let's start with the one we all know: ornamental use. Cacti have simple but incredibly pretty shapes. Its spines, whether short or long, red, orange, yellow or black, are one of the parts of its stem that attract the most attention. And that's not to mention its flowers.
The flowers of many of them match, and even exceed, the floral beauty of other plants. Echinopsis, Lobivia, Rebutia, ... who is able to resist such wonder?
Defensive use
opuntia monacantha
If you have a plot in the country, you will surely be interested in having a protection hedge. For it, there is nothing like planting Opuntias around the perimeter, especially when you plan to have a garden of cacti and succulents.
Culinary use
As we anticipated at the beginning, there are several cacti that can satisfy our hunger or, at least, calm our stomach a little. They are as follows:
As a vegetable
Young shoots of the opuntia prickly pear They are eaten as vegetables. If you fancy a different salad, try adding some sprouts to it. 
Fruits
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- Opuntia ficus-indica
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- Opuntia streptacantha
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- Opuntia leukotricha
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- Hylocereus undatus
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- Myrtilocactus geometrizans
The cacti that produce edible fruits are:
- Opuntia ficus-indica: called prickly pear, its fruits have a fresh and pleasant flavor.
- Opuntia streptacantha: its fruits are refreshing.
- Opuntia leukotricha: its fruits have a lemon flavor.
- Hylocereus undatus: called pitahaya, its fruits have a strawberry flavor.
- Myrtilocactus geometrizans: they taste similar to blueberries.
To make flour
Native tribes in the southeastern United States make flour from the seeds of giant carnegia (saguaro) This cactus grows very slowly, but if you ever get a chance to see yours fruiting and need flour, you know where you can get it. 
Have you had any doubts? Do not leave them in the inkwell. Question.