In Mexico, the nopal cactus is also known as prickly pear cactus, and is commonly used in local cuisine. In markets, you can easily buy fresh nopal cacti cleaned of spines and use them in soups and stews. As one of the nopal cacti, Opuntia Milpa Alta has no spines at all and can be easily cultivated for food or as ornamental plants.

People like eating nopal cacti because they are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber content. Apart from that, there is even a Mexican company its flesh to produce biofuel, reducing farmer's fuel costs. The nopal cactus is truly an amazing and versatile plant.

You can see this green succulent in the Botanic Garden at the Horticultural Expo in Beijing.

Read More:

Congo cockatoo: 'Colorful parrots' hidden beneath leaves

Desert rose: The siren's call

Orchid cactus: A flash of beauty before dawn

The vivid Chinese hibiscus: an emblem of enthusiasm and vitality

Agave: The queen of tropics flowers only once in a lifetime

Sacred plumeria, the symbol of hope and life

Angel's trumpet: A deadly beauty

(Cover photo via VCG. Video filmed by CGTN's Shen Hui, edited by CGTN's Zhao Ying)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com)