@DaisyL Yes, I think it is the Brazilian version of the standard Prickly Pear. It grows here like a tree.
But, oh Lord! Yes, this guy needs our help! DD had it in her apartment living room, against a wall, east exposure window near by for 2 years. Hung Christmas Lights on it. Propogated it by leaves. Obviously needs SUN! She bought it in a tiny pot and it just got bigger. Silly how they sell big things in tiny sizes. She thought it would stay tiny until she saw one in a yard nearby.
No sunny place to plant it at our house. I'm SHADYgreenthumb, remember? It's been on the driveway where the most sun is since summer and still that is just barely enough at 6-7 hrs tops. I will chop it down!!! Let's start it over!!
It's almost winter. Don't most succulents like to be cut down while they are resting?
The gnome. Yeah, he's going. You see he has a shovel in his hand like a miner? Her rocks were purchased and collected from her geology digs. (She is a Geologist) The rocks are sort of cool. The gnome not so much.