The term Opuntia is used when referring to the complete genus, where the best known is Previously, Opuntia was used interchangeably to refer to both the plant and the fruit.
SPANISH: Nopal, Pala, cardón, chumbera, chumbo, chumbua, higo chumbo, higo de pala, higuera de pala, higo México, nopal de castilla, tuna de España, tuna española, tuna mansa, tuna, tuna real.
Portugal: Palma forrageira, figo da India, figo da pitoira, figueira da India, palmatoria sem espinhos, tabaido.
English: Barbary fig, Indian fig, prickly-pear, cactus pear.
French: Chardon d’Inde, figue de Barbarie, figuer á raquettes, figuier d’Inde, opunce, raquette.
Italian: Ichi d’India
German: Frucht des feigenkactus, Indianische feige.
Nopal Cactus
Opuntia plant (mainly in Mexico)
Notuatl The original Mexican word (in Aztec times) for Opuntia
Cladodio Organs that form the stem or shoots
Nopalitos Young cladodes used as a vegetable
Nopalli Opuntia plant in Nahuatl
Tuna Opuntia prickly pear fruit
Higos chumbos Opuntia prickly pear fruit (Spain)
Nochtli Opuntia fruit
Syrup A sugary liquid product of the fruit
Melcocha Marmalade
Miel de tuna
Nocheztli Reddish dye of great value obtained from the body of the mealybug (Dactylopius coccus) that lives in some Opuntias. Called cochineal by the first Spaniards in Mexico, now simply called cochineal.
Queso de tuna Sweet made with processed juice from prickly pear tenochtli - Opuntia sagrada in ancient Mexico
Tun/tunas Caribbean word for fruit or seed.