A pear-shaped fruit, also known as the cactus pear, that is produced from the tropical cactus plant known as the Prickly Pear cactus. his fruit contains approximately 85% water, 15% sugar, 0.3% ash, and less than 1% protein. The fruit begins as a flower, growing out from the cactus leaf pad or "paddle," and maturing into an oval shaped, sweet tasting fruit.
The prickly pear fruit can be considered as "the bridge of life" because it is the only food and water resource for animals during the long dry seasons in the deserts.