Mexicans call them Nopales or Nopalitos. The fruit they call Tunas. These edible cacti were under evaluation at the University Orchard in cooperation with the University of Sonora in Hermosillo. Fruit or tunas of the nopal cactus under cultivation and evaluation at the University orchard I will be giving a presentation to the Cactus and Succulent Society on how to grow them as a food crop Thursday night, December 3, at 630 pm at the Garden Clubs building located at Lorenzi Park off of Washington and Rancho. Nopal cactus ..nopales…under cultivation and evaluation at the University orchard. This is an ideal size and thickness to use as fresh vegetable.