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Summary
Opuntia species,
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. Try Barbary fig (O. ficus-indica), Eastern Prickly Pear (O. compressa), Dillen Prickly Pear (O.dillenii), Engelmann’s Prickly Pear (O. engelmannii), Eastern Prickly Pear (O. humifusa), Wheel Cactus (O. robusta), and Velvet Prickly Pear (O. tomentosa). Cholla (Cylindropuntia spp.) was formerly treated as a subgenus of Opuntia. However, it has now been separated based on its cylindrical stems (Opuntia species have flattened stems) and the presence of papery epidermal sheaths on the spines. All the buds and the fruits of the cholla are edible. O. ficus-indica is native to Mexico but widely grown in Mediterranean regions, North Africa, and Southwestern U.S..
Harvesting: The fruits (tunas) are harvested in late summer to autumn. Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Physical Characteristics
Opuntia compressa is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
O. humifusa. Raf. O. macrarthra. O. opuntia. O. rafinesquii. O. vulgaris.
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds; East Wall. By. South Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Seed
Edible Uses: Gum
Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[3, 46, 61, 62, 183]. Sweet and gelatinous[85]. Lean and insipid[95]. The unripe fruits can be added to soups etc, imparting an okra-like mucilaginous quality[183]. The fruit can hang on the plant all year round[160]. The fruit is up to 4cm long and 3cm wide[200]. Be careful of the plants irritant hairs, see the notes above on toxicity. Pads - cooked or raw[62, 160]. Watery and very mucilaginous[85]. Seed - briefly roasted then ground into a powder[62]. It is also used as a thickener[62].
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.
Pectoral Poultice Warts
A poultice of the peeled pads is applied to wounds, sores etc[222]. The juice of the fruits is used as a treatment for warts[222]. A tea made from the pads is used in the treatment of lung ailments[222].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Gum
Agroforestry uses: Prickly pear can be used as a natural fence or barrier, provides habitat for wildlife, and its pads can be used as forage for livestock.
The following notes are for O. ficus indica. They almost certainly also apply to this species[K]. A gum is obtained from the stem. It is used as a masticatory or can be mixed with oil to make candles[64, 207]. The juice of the boiled stem segments is very sticky. It is added to plaster, whitewash etc to make it adhere better to walls[92]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Prickly pear flowers are known for being rich in nectar and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – 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.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The pads and spines can provide shelter for invertebrates, and the leaf litter around the base can serve as habitat for beneficial insects.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – While prickly pear may have some aromatic qualities, they are not specifically recognized for confusing or deterring pests.
Special Uses
Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Container, Rock garden, Seashore.Requires a sandy or very well-drained soil[160]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5[200]. Must be kept fairly dry in winter but likes a reasonable supply of water in the growing season[200]. A position at the base of a south-facing wall or somewhere that can be protected from winter rain is best for this plant. Requires warmth and plenty of sun. Plants tolerate considerable neglect. Plants are very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[160], but they are intolerant of winter wet. There is considerable confusion over the correct name for this species, several of the synonyms listed above are also applied to other species in this genus. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 12 through 9. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet with a limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2]. The fruits (tunas) are typically harvested in late summer to autumn, around late summer to early fall, depending on the species and climate.
Opuntia species usually flower in late spring to early summer. They generally grow moderately fast, and many species can produce new pads and fruit within the first year of planting, especially in favorable conditions. Many Opuntia species are self-fertile, though cross-pollination can improve fruit set and quality.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a very well-drained compost in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from winter wet. Make sure 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
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Nebraska, Oklahoma (east), Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia, District of Columbia, PACIFIC: Fiji, Nansei-shoto, Tuamotu, Vanuatu
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.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Cylindropuntia spp. | Cholla | Perennial | 2.0 |
8-12
| S | LMH | SN | D | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Opuntia dillenii | Dillen prickly pear, | Perennial | 1.0 |
10-12
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Opuntia engelmannii | Engelmann’s Prickly Pear | Shrub | 2.5 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Opuntia erinacea | Mojave Prickly Pear | Perennial | 0.5 |
8-11
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia ficus-indica | Prickly Pear, Barbary fig | Perennial | 5.0 |
8-11
| M | LM | N | D | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Opuntia fragilis | Prickly Pear, Brittle pricklypear | Perennial | 0.1 |
7-10
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Opuntia howeyi | | Perennial | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia humifusa | Eastern Prickly Pear | Shrub | 0.2 |
4-10
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Opuntia imbricata | Tree Chola | Perennial | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia littoralis | Western Prickly Pear | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia macrorhiza | Twist-Spine Prickly Pear | Perennial | 0.1 |
8-11
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia microdasys | Bunny Ears, Angel's-wings | Perennial | 0.6 |
7-10
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia phaeacantha | Bastard Fig, Tulip pricklypear | Perennial | 0.5 |
8-11
| | LM | N | D | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Opuntia polyacantha | Plains Prickly Pear, El Paso pricklypear, Grizzlybear pricklypear, Navajo Bridge pricklypear, Hairsp | Perennial | 0.2 |
3-7
| | LM | N | D | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Opuntia ramosissima | Branched Pencil Cholla | Perennial | 0.6 |
7-10
| | LM | N | D | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia robusta | Wheel Cactus | Shrub | 2.0 |
9-11
| M | LM | N | DM | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Opuntia tomentosa | Velvet prickly pear, Woollyjoint Pricklypear | Perennial | 4.5 |
9-12
| M | LM | N | DM | 3 | 0 | 3 |
|
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.
Expert comment
Author
(Salisb.)J.F.MacBr.
Botanical References
200274
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