Opuntia ficus-indica - Tuna Cactus

Very interesting your description under this one.
Are the fruits soft ?
They look harder like horsechestnut type.

Terratoonie,

They are soft, although full of seeds. They can be sweet...I don't them because of the seeds. I think if the fruits were strained it would make a good drink.

Yes, I can understand that the seeds would be off-putting.
The drink sounds better. :o)

I went to visit some relataions in Sicily this summer and saw loads of these prickly pears growing everywhere - I even posted some photos of how to eat them. It's a work of art..... !

I wonder why they're called Tuna Cactus ?? Incidentally, the Italians call them Fichi d'India (Figs from India) which fits in well with their Latin name.

Terry60:

This cactus grow wild every along the hills and canyon sides...it considered a native here even though it originally comes from Mexico. I'm not sure where the name originates. I know Ficus-indica means Indian Fig.