There are many varieties of prickly pear, also called Barbary fig. Some are yellow, others red or orange. PONTHIER has selected a prickly pear from its country of origin, Mexico, where it figures on the national flag. Mexican prickly pears are different because of their sweet flavour and the astonishing ruby colour of their flesh. Prickly pears have the best resistance to drought, with over 1,000 varieties inventoried in regions where rain is rare. The plant has long, round and flat paddle-like branches covered with spines. In season, it produces beautiful flowers that become oval fruit, 5 to 10cm long.