Opuntia ficus-indica Opuntia ficus-indica Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) is a species of cactus that has long been a domesticated crop plant grown in agricultural economies throughout arid and semiarid parts of the world. Likely having origin in Mexico, "O. ficus-indica" is the most widespread and most commercially important cactus. Common English names for the plant and its fruit are Indian fig opuntia, Barbary fig, cactus pear, and spineless cactus, among many. In Mexican Spanish, the plant is called nopal, while the fruit is called tuna, names that may be used in American English as culinary terms. Fig opuntia is grown primarily as
Opuntia dulcis common in trans-Pecos Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It has been observed in the mountains of southern Nevada.. Opuntia dulcis Opuntia dulcis has been described as a variety of, and is confused with, "O. phaeacantha". However, "O. dulcis" is a larger plant with ascending branches, to 2 ft (exceptionally 4 ft). While it is a larger plant, immature specimens of O. dulcis may overlap in size with O. phaeacantha. "Opuntia dulcis" resembles "O. engelmannii" in some ways but does not become as erect or large as that species. Also, the spines of "O. dulcis" are finer than those of "O.