| Title | Cochinile |
| Variants | Metaquesunnauk |
| Source | ©J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC. United States, DC, Washington, USDA ARS National Arboretum. June 13, 2002. |
| URL | http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OPHU |
| Creator | J.S. Peterson |
| Type | Photograph |
| Copyright | unknown |
| Origin | internet |
| Notes | Hariot p.18 “Some that have bin to the Indes, where they have seen that kind of red die of great price which is called Cochinile . . . ; [NB-VJB] Hariot compares Cochinile to Metaquesunnauk (Prickley Pear Cactus – Opuntia). Hariot apparently knew that the cochineal insect was associated with the Opuntia cactus.; From: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal; The Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-coloured dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico, this insect lives on cacti from the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients.; Ewan; p.262 “The Metack sunancs somewhat resembling the Indian fig. Ogilby (1671) p. 196 describes “Mettaquesunnauks”, a sort of fruit resembling In[d]ian figs.” This he had from Hariot (1588), who describes “Metaquesunnauk, a kind of pleasant fruit almost the shape & bignes of English peares, but that they are a perfect red colour as well within as without. They grow on a plant whose leaves are verie thick and full of prickles as sharp as needles.” = Opuntia sp.; Radford p.735 Probably Opuntia compressa (Salisbury) Macbride (Prickley Pear); [NB VJB: The fruits are called “prickley pears” and are edible. ; |
Cochinile / Cochinile / Cochinile