Prickly Pear Cactus

(genus Opuntia) with flat, pad-like stems, known for its formidable spines and tiny, barbed bristles called glochids. It produces large, colorful flowers and a fleshy, edible fruit, which also has seeds and can range in color from green to red or purple. Both the pads (called nopales) and the fruit are used as food, in dishes like salads, jams, and sweet drinks, though the spines and glochids must be removed first.