Cochineal Prickly Pear

The cochineal prickly pear (Opuntia monacantha) is a medium-sized cactus which grows to 4 meters tall. This species was spread by humans for its edible fruit, the spirit which can be ditilled fom theplant, and as food for an insect used to produce dye.

Habitat
As would be expected, this species gorws in dry areas and poor soils.