Opuntia littoralis (Cactaceae) Evergreen perennial

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Opuntia littoralis
Evergreen perennial
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The Opuntia littoralis plant species is found in Southwestern N. America. It is a member of the Cactaceae family.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Opuntia littoralis
Family:  Cactaceae
Author:  (Engelm.)Cockerell.

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:  0.6   Mature Width:  1.2

Habitat:  Not known

Edible Uses: The following notes are for O. compressa. They almost certainly also apply to this species[K]. 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]. Be careful of the plants irritant hairs, see notes above. The fruit of O. littoralis is about 4cm in diameter and usually free of spines[200]. 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].

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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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