Opuntia for wounds and inflammation of the digestive and urinary tracts, although there is no high-quality evidence for any clinical benefit of using opuntia for these purposes. "Dactylopius coccus" is a scale insect from which cochineal dye is derived. "D. coccus" itself is native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico. This insect, a primarily sessile parasite, lives on cacti from the genus "Opuntia", feeding on moisture and nutrients in the cactus sap. The insect produces carminic acid, which deters predation by other insects. The carminic acid can be extracted from the insect's body and eggs to make the red
Opuntia ficus-indica the wild origin of "O. ficus-indica" is likely to have been in Mexico due to the fact that its close genetic relatives are found in central Mexico. "Opuntia ficus-indica" is polyploid, hermaphrodite and autogamous. As "Opuntia" species grow in semi-arid environments, the main limiting factor in their environment is water. They have developed a number of adaptations to dry conditions, notably succulence. The perennial shrub "Opuntia ficus-indica" can grow up to 3-5m height, with thick, succulent and oblong to spatulate stems called cladodes. It has a water-repellent and sun-reflecting waxy epidermis. Cladodes that are 1–2 years old produce flowers, the