Nopal, Opuntia, prickly pear, cactus Size/type:PAD CUT Part of what makes succulents

Part of what makes succulents so fascinating are the myriad ways they express themselves throughout the year

Spines stout and fade as it the plant ages

It is a relatively fast-growing and long-lived plant and once established

During the warmer months

Water: Very drought-tolerant once established

Nopal, Opuntia, prickly pear, cactus Size/type:PAD CUT Part of what makes succulentsNopal (from the Nahuatl word nohpalli [nopali] for the pads of the plant) is a common name in Spanish for Opuntia cacti (commonly referred to in English as prickly pear), as well as for its pads. There are approximately one hundred and fourteen known species endemic to Mexico, where the plant is a common ingredient in numerous Mexican cuisine dishes. The nopal pads can be eaten raw or cooked, used in marmalades, soups, stews and salads, as well as