Opuntia

Opuntia
Many, see text
Synonyms
Airampoa Fric
Cactodendron Bigelow nom inval
Cactus Lem
Chaffeyopuntia Fric & Schelle
Clavarioidia Kreuz nom inval
Ficindica St-Lag
Nopalea Salm-Dyck
Parviopuntia Soulaire & Marn-Lap nom inval
Phyllarthus Neck ex MGómez nom inval
Pseudotephrocactus Fric
Salmiopuntia Fric nom inval
Subulatopuntia Fric & Schelle
Tunas Lunell
Weberiopuntia Fric
and see text
Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae
The most common culinary species is the Indian fig opuntia O ficus-indica Most culinary uses of the term "prickly pear" refer to this species Prickly pears are also known as tuna fruit, sabra, nopal paddle, plural nopales from the Nahuatl word nōpalli for the pads, or nostle, from the Nahuatl word nōchtli for the fruit; or paddle cactus
The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus, where, according to Theophrastus, an edible plant grew which could be propagated by rooting its leaves1
Contents
1 Distribution
2 Description
21 Chollas
22 Growth image gallery
3 Taxonomy
31 Selected species
32 Formerly in Opuntia
4 Ecology
5 Uses
opuntia cactus, opuntia microdasys, opuntia, opuntia engelmannii, opuntia phaeacantha, opuntia ficus indica Opuntia