Which specific Opuntia species is mentioned as being a staple crop and cultivated variety?
Answer
Opuntia ficus-indica
The text distinguishes between the vast number of species within the Opuntia genus and specific varieties that have been selected for culinary purposes over time. Opuntia ficus-indica is explicitly cited as a species whose fruit is a staple crop due to cultivation efforts. Cultivated varieties like this one have been genetically or selectively favored for desirable traits, particularly sweetness, making their fruit predictable and highly desirable for commercial use, unlike many wild relatives whose chemical compositions may differ drastically.
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