This watercolor of a prickly pear cactus is just one of Gilbert's paintings chosen by daughter Linda to use on her mexican album set.
The fruit of the prickly pear, known as cactus figs or tuna, can be (carefully) eaten and is often used to make jellies and candy, or as an ingredient in drinks. There is also interest in using the pads of certain species for treating diabetes and other illnesses. The sap can be used as a hair conditioner.
On the wilder side, mescaline is found in some species, and some exotic drinks are made from others, including Mexican colonche, the Maltese Bajtra Liqueur, and Tungi Spirit from Saint Helena. But of course we're good girls and boys and find this to be of merely academic interest.
More exciting is the importance of prickly pear in the production of brilliant red cochineal dyes — very important for weavers, food coloring, and cosmetics. Little nests are attached to the pads of the prickly pear, creating a habitat for the small insects from which the dye is traditionally made.
And of course there are the lovely pink or pale yellow translucent flowers...
