When I first heard of this plant, I was listening to a podcast about a new Mexican company that is using nopal skin to make a natural "leather." I thought these entrepreneurs' business was so interesting, but I had no idea what this plant looked like or how it could translate into a leather-like textile. The first time I noticed nopal was during an archeological visit to Mitla. Mitla is one of the oldest civilizations in Mexico. They have ancestry that dates back thousands of years. Even the trees in Mitla are all at LEAST a couple hundred years old. The nopal cactus lines the ground all around the ancient ruins. They arere small plants, but their spiky exterior demanded attention, and caution!
The nopal is native to Mexico. Particularly, this plant thrives in dry or dryish areas. This type of climate is widespread in Oaxaca as it is desert-like during the dry season. This weather is also widespread throughout the central and northern regions of Mexico, so one can find this plant all over the country. Mexico is one of the countries with the most biodiversity in the world. This means there are an unparalleled range of climates that coexist around the country. One area could be cold and wet, one hot and dry; another exists like a tropical jungle and another like a swamp. So, Mexico's climate is perfect for an abundance of plants and wildlife!
