Question: are all opuntia species edible?
Answer: The leaves and egg-shaped fruit (or "tunas") of all Opuntia are edible. You can identify Opuntia species by their oval, flat leaves, or "paddles," covered with small spines. The Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) is the most famous and well-loved of the edible cacti.