Cochineal Nopal Cactus

Opuntia cochenillifera is a species of cactus in the subfamily Opuntioideae. It may have been endemic to Mexico, but has been widely introduced. The first description was in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as Cactus cochenillifer. Philip Miller renamed it as Opuntia cochenillifera in 1768.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Cochineal Nopal Cactus being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Opuntia dejecta
• Opuntia auberi
• Opuntia karwinskiana
• Opuntia monacantha
• Opuntia inaperta
• Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis

Classification

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Caryophyllales

Family

Cactaceae

Genus

Opuntia

Species

Opuntia cochenillifera

More species