Higo chumbo (Opuntia ficus-indica) is the Spanish name of Prickly pears which were brought by the Spanish to Europe, possibly accompanying Christopher Columbus in his first return to Lisbon in 1493. The species was called ficus-indica in confusion with its supposed similarity to the Indian fig. Other Spanish names of Prickly Pears are Penca, Nopalera,Higuera chumba, Chumbera, Higuera de Indias, amd Higuera de pala.