Plants · La Saladita, Guerrero

Cochineal Nopal Cactus

Opuntia cochenillifera

Spanish: Nopal de la cochinilla

Opuntia cochenillifera is a species of cactus in the subfamily Opuntioideae. It is endemic to Mexico. The first description was in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as Cactus cochenillifer. Philip Miller described it as Opuntia cochenillifera in 1768. Most often recorded in Apr, Oct.

TaxonomyMagnoliopsida › Caryophyllales › Cactaceae

Local records3 research-grade observations within about 50 km of La Saladita (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones)

Global records10,988 on iNaturalist

Recorded here2020 – 2025

Months recorded near La Saladita

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Recent local sightings

2025-10-12 — observation by adanml
2020-04-27 — observation by ana_ozomahtli
2020-04-25 — observation by filibertorumbo

Interactive card with more photos, sounds and similar species Plants guide iNaturalist Wikipedia

Cite as: “Cochineal Nopal Cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera) at La Saladita”, La Saladita Field Guide, lasaladita.com/species/opuntia-cochenillifera/, updated 2026-09-26. Observation counts and months come from iNaturalist research-grade records within about 50 km of 17.8375°N, 101.7606°W (the survey box also takes in Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones); summary text from Wikipedia where present.