Opuntia

Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family Cactaceae also known as nopal.

Currently, only prickly pear are included in this genus of about 250 species distributed throughout most of the Americas. Chollas are now included in the genus Cylindropuntia.

The most commonly culinary species of is the Fig Opuntia, Opuntia ficus-indica (most culinary uses of the term 'prickly pear' refer to this Opuntia species).