Etymology - Tuna is common name in Spanish for Opuntiads, Tunilla means small tuna.
Another small group of Opuntiads from South America, Tunilla was rarely found in cultivation in the past, but is becoming more common as interest in the group is growing. The stems of this genus can be flat jointed cladodes (or paddles) or rounded segments. These are covered with areoles that contain glochids and spines. Flowers are red or yellow and various colors in-between - very vibrant. Fruits are dihiscent with a single slit. The genus can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.