Indian Fig Prickly Pear

Interesting facts: (long read but cool info)
Opuntia ficus-indica is a prickly pear cactus that probably originated in central Mexico, but it has been cultivated for so long that the location of origin and the appearance of the original wild plant is not known. Before the time of Columbus, the plant had been spread to the Caribbean islands and it is reported that the plant was used by the Nazca in Peru. Native people used the plant for food, medicine, and as a source of cochineal dye.

There is a disputed claim that Columbus brought the plant back to Spain after his first voyage. Regardless of when the plant first reached Spain, the Spanish were intrigued by the plant. The appearance of the plant was unlike anything in Europe. Also, the economic aspects of cochineal dye, which is derived from cochineal insects that feed on the plant, were of great interest. The plant quickly became naturalized in Spain and the Moors spread the plant to North Africa. The plant quickly spread across the Mediterranean region and became so ensconced there that some early botanists thought that it was native.

The plant was introduced to the Canary Islands for the cochineal dye industry. A major industry was created and remains to this day. Cochineal dye is a red dye that is derived from the bodies of cochineal insects, which feed on prickly pear plants. In modern times, the dye is most often used as a natural source of color for food and cosmetics.
The plant was also recognized by Europeans as a source of fruit. Large plantations were established on Sicily. Sicilian farmers developed a method for producing larger fruits with fewer seeds. The first flush of flowers is removed before they can set fruit. The second flush of flowers then produced the fleshier fruits that bring a higher price at the market.

Opuntia ficus-indica reached what is now the United States when Spanish missionaries brought the plant to California in the 1700s. The fruit was used for food. Mucilage from the pads was used as an adhesive in making adobe bricks. The cactus was planted at all of the mission complexes and one of the common names for the plant is mission cactus. It was also planted on the old California ranchos, where it was used as food and fencing. The plant has become naturalized in parts of California.