Opuntia cactus (Opuntia dillenii, Dillen’s prickly pear) on Tenerife, Canary islands - stock photo

Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus. Prickly pear alone is more commonly used to refer exclusively to the fruit, but may also be used for the cactus plant itself. Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus. Prickly pear alone is more commonly used to refer exclusively to the fruit, but may also be used for the cactus plant itself. Typical for Opuntia dillenni, that it usually has more than 3 spines per areole. The opuntia were originally brought to Tenerife to be grown in plantations to feed the insects that produce the natural red dye cochineal and for their edible fruits.