-Plants (Kingdom Plantae)

-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)

-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)

-Dicots (Class Magnoliopsida)

-Pinks, Cactuses, and Allies (Order Caryophyllales)

-Cactus Family (Family Cactaceae)

-Subfamily Opuntioideae

-Tribe Opuntieae

-Prickly Pears (Genus Opuntia)

-Cochineal Nopal Cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera)

Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as the prickly pear cactus, is a species of cactus native to Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. This cactus is well suited to dry environments and can be found growing in rocky places and deserts. Prickly pears are widely used in Mexican cuisine, for their sweet fruit (tuna), and their pads are also used in salads and as a vegetable (nopales). It has flat green pads covered in tiny spines and vibrant yellow or red fruits.