The prickly pear cactus, also called Barbary fig, is part of the family Cactaceae and comes from Mexico. Located around the Mediterranean, its prickly pears are very popular. Up to 3-5 meters in height, the organization of the 'leaves", called cladodes is unusual: they are very long, wide and thick and mingle with each other to form branches.The fruit of the prickly pear can cause constipation if consumed with the seeds, without the seeds it is laxative.