Opuntia ficus-indica Prickly pear (Cactaceae) Evergreen perennial

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Opuntia ficus-indica
Prickly pear
Evergreen perennial
(1 Page of 5)

The Opuntia ficus-indica plant species is found in Original habitat is obscure. It is a member of the Cactaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Prickly pear.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Opuntia ficus-indica
Common Name:  Prickly pear
Family:  Cactaceae
Author:  (L.)Mill.

Known Hazards:  The plant has numerous minutely barbed glochids (hairs) that are easily dislodged when the plant is touched and they then become stuck to the skin where they are difficult to see and remove. They can cause considerable discomfort[200].

Mature Height:  5   Mature Width:  5

Habitat:  Naturalized in the Mediterranean where it grows in dry arid and rocky places[89].

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[3, 7, 20, 46, 61, 89]. Sweet and gelatinous[85]. Very refreshing, they are smewhat like a watermelon in flavour[183]. The fruits are up to 10cm long and 9cm wide[200]. Be careful of the plants irritant hairs, see the notes above on toxicity. Pads - cooked and used like french beans[20, 183]. Watery and very mucilaginous[85]. Flowers - raw[20]. Seed - ground into a meal[20, 92]. An edible gum is obtained from the stem[64].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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