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Opuntia engelmannii - Salm-Dyck ex Engelm.

Common Name Engelmann’s Prickly Pear
Family Cactaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards The plant has numerous minutely barbed glochids - barbed spines that are usually small to minute and very sharp and brittle. The glochids are very easily dislodged when the plant is touched and can penetrate the skin where, because of their barbs, they become stuck and are very difficult to see and remove. They can cause considerable irritation and discomfort[200, 1999 ]. Opuntia species can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, especially in older parts of the plant. Perfectly alright in small quantities, foods containing oxalic acid should not be eaten in large amounts since it can lock up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take special caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238, 1999 ].
Habitats Xerophyllous scrub, grasslands, pine-juniper and oak forest at 150 - 1,800 metres[338 ].
Range Southwest N. America - California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, to central and southern Mexico
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Opuntia engelmannii Engelmann’s Prickly Pear


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Opuntia engelmannii Engelmann’s Prickly Pear
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Summary

Engelmann’s Prickly Pear has edible fruit that is used raw or cooked. It is of good quality, the flesh is succulent, sweet and juicy. It makes an excellent juice and is often used to make jelly. Prickly Pear are native to desert environments, where they thrive under extreme heat and minimal water availability. They are used for their edible fruits and pads and make a stock-proof barrier. Eat the sweet and gelatinous fruit raw, cooked or dried for later use. The unripe fruits can be added to soups, imparting an okra-like mucilaginous quality. The fruit can hang on the plant all year round. Eat the watery and very mucilaginous pads cooked or raw.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Opuntia engelmannii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

O. engelmannii var. cacanapa (Griffiths & Hare) D.Weniger. O. engelmannii var. cuija Griffiths & Hare. O. engelmannii var. engelmannii. O. engelmannii var. flavispina (L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt & Pinkava. O. engelmannii var. laevis (J.M.Coult.) Felger, Verrier & Carnahan. O. engelmannii var. lindheimeri (Engelm.) B.D.Parfitt & Pinkava.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked; of good quality, the flesh is succulent, sweet and juicy[1438, 1990, 1991 ]. It makes an excellent juice and is often used to make jelly[1438, 1991 ]. The dark red to purple, ovate-elongate to barrel-shaped fruit is 35 - 90mm long and 20 - 40mm in diameter[270 ]. During their season the fruits (tunas) of various Opuntia species are the principal food of the people in certain parts of Mexico, and enormous quantities of them are consumed. Usually they are eaten raw, but they are also cooked in various ways, and sweetmeats are made from them. The dried fruit can be pressed into large cakes (Queso de tuna ) and is widely sold in local markets. Miel de tuna is a syrup prepared from the fruit. Melcocha is a thick paste made by boiling down the juice. Colonche is the boiled and fermented juice. Nochote or nochocle is a fermented beverage from tuna juice, pulque, and water. Tejuino is also a beverage prepared from fruit juice [411 ]. Stem segments - cooked. Fried[1438 ]. The stem segments of Opuntia species are known as ‘nopals’ in Mexico where they are a common ingredient in numerous dishes. They can be eaten raw or cooked, used in marmalades, soups, stews and salads. The most commonly used species are Opuntia ficus-indica or Opuntia matudae although the stems of almost all Opuntia species are edible. Flowers[1438 ]. This report probably refers to the flower buds[K ]. Opuntia flower buds are a rich source of calcium and soluble fibre, as well as containing significant protein[1999 ] Seeds. Dried and ground into a powder[1438 ]. The seeds of Opuntia species can be ground into a powder and used as a gruel or to prepare a kind of atole[411 ]. Atole is a thick drink that is made with cornmeal (with or without other ground seeds), water, raw sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla and is served warm.].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Heated stem segments are applied to a new mother's breasts to stimulate milk flow [1987 ]. We have no specific information on medicinal uses for this species, but the following notes will likely apply universally to Opuntia species and other related genera[K ]. The flesh of tender young stem segments can be applied as a poultice to reduce inflammation[411 ]. The mucilage and soluble fibre found in the flowers and stem segments has been shown to help control blood sugar levels associated with adult-onset diabetes[1999 ]. Clinical evidence shows that the soluble fibre in the stem segments helps reduce blood cholesterol levels[1999 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Boundary, barrier or support. The pads (or cladodes) of O. engelmannii are valued as fodder, as with many Opuntia species. O. engelmannii and its many varieties are widely grown as ornamentals, and var. linguaformis is especially popular. It is also planted as a live hedge [1-8]. Potted plant. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Prickly pear flowers are known for being rich in nectar and attract various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): The fruit (tunas) and pads (nopales) of prickly pear are edible and provide food for various wildlife, including birds and mammals. The pads can also offer some shelter for small animals. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): The pads and spines can provide shelter for invertebrates, and the leaf litter around the base can serve as a habitat for beneficial insects. Pest Confuser (Smell): While prickly pears may have some aromatic qualities, they are not specifically recognized for confusing or deterring pests.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A perennial cactus, generally growing 1 to 3.5m tall. Soil Texture: Thrives in light (sandy), medium, and gravelly or rocky soils. Highly adaptable to nutrient-poor soils. Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist soils. It is highly drought-tolerant and cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions. Drainage: Requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot, particularly in humid or rainy climates. Soil pH: Tolerates a wide range of soil pH levels, from slightly acidic to alkaline. Saline Tolerance: Moderately tolerant of saline conditions, making it suitable for arid and semi-arid coastal areas. Tolerance of Poor Soil: It thrives in poor, nutrient-deficient soils, particularly in arid or desert regions. Light Requirements: Requires full sun for optimal growth and flowering. Shade significantly reduces its vigour. Height: Typically grows to about 1–2 meters (3–6 feet) tall, though it can spread widely with a dense growth habit in ideal conditions. Pollination: Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and other insects. Its vibrant yellow flowers are beautiful to pollinators. Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 8–11, tolerating high heat and drought. It is also frost-resistant down to about -10°C (14°F). Drought Tolerance: Extremely drought-tolerant, ideal for xeriscaping and arid climates. Flowering: Produces large, bright yellow flowers in spring, followed by edible red to purple fruits in summer, often called “tunas.” Wildlife: Provides food and habitat for wildlife. Birds, mammals, and insects consume its fruits and seeds. Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-resistant but may be affected by cochineal scale (visible as white, cottony patches), which can be controlled by physical removal or spraying with water. Pruning: Minimal pruning is required unless controlling its spread. Dead or damaged pads can be removed to maintain plant health and appearance. Special soil tolerances: shallow, saline, sodic, infertile[1-8]. Like all Opuntia species, O. engelmannii prefers hot and dry conditions and is native to subtropical regions in North America. However, it is more frost-tolerant than many other species of Opuntia (Felker et al., 2009). In its native range, O. engelmannii is a true desert plant of rocky or shallow soils, e.g., in western Texas, whereas subsp. lindheimeri prefers deeper soils and humid conditions in central and eastern Texas [1-8]. O. engelmannii is native to arid and semi-arid regions, often in areas with a short summer rainfall period. However, it is also present in the Mediterranean, where winter rainfall is more common. It is reported to prefer clay loams in Texas but sandy and gravelly soils in East Africa [1-8]. In cultivation, Cactus plants generally will not succeed in moist climates. They usually require a sunny position in well-drained, circumneutral soil and to be kept more or less dry in the dormant season[200]. The native range of this species is SW. & S. Central U.S.A. to Mexico. It is a succulent shrub and grows primarily in the temperate biome. It has been introduced into Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Islands., Cape Provinces, Free State, Italy, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Australia, South Carolina, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Victoria, Virginia, and Western Australia. Individual plants may persist for up to 56 years. Seed can remain viable in the soil for at least 19 months [1-8].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed—sow early spring in a greenhouse in a very well-drained compost. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. After the last expected frosts, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Give the plants some protection from winter wetness. Ensure you have some reserve plants in case those outdoors do not overwinter. Cuttings of leaf pads at any time in the growing season. Remove a pad from the plant and then leave it in a dry sunny place for a couple of days to ensure that the base is thoroughly dry and has begun to callous. Pot up into a sandy compost. Very easy, rooting quickly.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Desert prickly pear, Discus prickly pear, Engelmann's prickly pear. Nopal, Abrojo, Joconostle, and Vela de coyote (Mexico). Cactus apple. Discus pear. Engelmann's prickly pear. Few-spine marble-fruit prickly-pear. Lindheimer prickly-pear. Spanish: cacanapo [1-8]. South Africaklein: rondeblaarturksvy. Small round-leaved prickly pear. USA: Cow tongue cactus. Cow tongue prickly-pear. Nopal prickly-pear. Texas prickly-pear [1-8].

Native Range

Native to: Arizona, California, Louisiana, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

O. engelmannii is a species of cactus and one of many Opuntia species that have been introduced from their native ranges in the Americas and become naturalised and invasive, particularly in Australia, southern and eastern Africa, and the Mediterranean region. However, O. engelmannii is also reported as a noxious weed in Texas and elsewhere in its native range, where it has undergone control for almost a century. Contrastingly, it is considered potentially endangered in other US states, such as Arizona. Noting new records (e.g. Saudi Arabia), further occurrences not yet reported in other countries are possible, and further spread is likely. However, where it is invasive in Australia and South Africa, it has been successfully controlled, as with other Opuntia species [1-8].

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Least Concern

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cylindropuntia spp.ChollaPerennial2.0 8-12 SLMHSND304
Opuntia compressaEastern Prickly Pear, Prickly Pear CactusPerennial0.2 8-10 FLMND312
Opuntia dilleniiDillen prickly pear, Perennial1.0 10-12 MLMNDM303
Opuntia erinaceaMojave Prickly PearPerennial0.5 8-11  LMND202
Opuntia ficus-indicaPrickly Pear, Barbary figPerennial5.0 8-11  LMND323
Opuntia fragilisPrickly Pear, Brittle pricklypearPerennial0.1 7-10  LMND212
Opuntia howeyi Perennial0.0 -  LMND202
Opuntia humifusaEastern Prickly PearShrub0.2 4-10 MLMNDM322
Opuntia imbricataTree CholaPerennial3.0 8-11  LMND202
Opuntia littoralisWestern Prickly PearPerennial0.6 -  LMND202
Opuntia macrorhizaTwist-Spine Prickly PearPerennial0.1 8-11  LMND202
Opuntia microdasysBunny Ears, Angel's-wingsPerennial0.6 7-10  LMND202
Opuntia phaeacanthaBastard Fig, Tulip pricklypearPerennial0.5 8-11  LMND212
Opuntia polyacanthaPlains Prickly Pear, El Paso pricklypear, Grizzlybear pricklypear, Navajo Bridge pricklypear, HairspPerennial0.2 3-7  LMND312
Opuntia ramosissimaBranched Pencil ChollaPerennial0.6 7-10  LMND302
Opuntia robustaWheel CactusShrub2.0 9-11 MLMNDM402
Opuntia tomentosaVelvet prickly pear, Woollyjoint PricklypearPerennial4.5 9-12 MLMNDM303

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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