Independence Day & Prickly Pear Cactus

The Role of Opuntia and the Revolutionary War

“The Redcoats are coming, the redcoats are coming!” This famous historical warning from the American Revolutionary War refers to the approach of the British Army. In addition, British officers were distinctly dressed in red wool coats. How are red wool coats associated with the Prickly Pear Cactus?

Indigenous People Influence

In the early 1500s, Spanish explorers discovered vibrant red dyes used by Mesoamerican indigenous people, Aztecs and Mayans. Red dyes were a challenging color to assimilate prior to this discovery. However, Spain imported this red dye source but kept it a secret for 200 years!

Harvesting cochineal insects: Red dye sourced through the Cochineal Mealy Bugs — Ancient MesoAmericans harvesting Cochineal scale insects. (image generative ai)

Red Dye Story

Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera) has an insect scale pest called Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus). Wingless females produce a white, waxy substance for sun protection and carminic acid against predators. In fact, Carminic Acid is also a very powerful red dye! Harvesters scraped off the cochineal insects, dried them in the sun, mixed them with flour, and sold them in cake form. Furthermore, this scarlet dye, called Nocheztli, produced vibrant red clothing, and it was colorfast (not quickly fading). Nocheztli literally means cactus blood. However, it requires 70,000 cochineal bugs to produce just one pound of the brilliant dye.

Cochineal scale insects: Red dye sourced through the Cochineal Mealy Bugs — Cochineal scale insects (image generative ai)

Second Only to Silver

Spain exported its closely guarded Nocheztli throughout Europe and generated tremendous wealth from the trade. The dye became Spain’s second most valuable export after silver. Royal families and wealthy elites initially dominated its use because of its high cost and rarity.

The British Army later adopted Nocheztli to color military uniforms because the dye produced a rich, durable red that held its color over time. As a result, British soldiers became known as the “Redcoats.”

Future of Cochineal

The natural carmine pigment (Natural Red 4 or E-120) is a safe, natural colorant in the food, cosmetic, and textile industries. it is used in many everyday items like strawberry yogurt, red candies, lipsticks, beverages, etc. Traditionally grown in Mexico, the majority of the world’s commercial cochineal supply is now produced in Peru.

Visit the Discovery Gardens to view live plants of the Prickly Pear Cactus in the Southwest Garden. Similarly, stop by the MGV Plant Clinic for more information about mealy bugs and other plant pests. Located at the Lake County Agriculture Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

This post was written with the help of Suzanne Hill, Lake Beautyberry Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Thank you!