Opuntia polyacantha Plains prickly pear (Cactaceae) Evergreen perennial

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Opuntia polyacantha
Plains prickly pear
Evergreen perennial
(1 Page of 5)

The Opuntia polyacantha plant species is found in N. America - British Columbia to Oregon and Texas It is a member of the Cactaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Plains prickly pear.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Opuntia polyacantha
Common Name:  Plains prickly pear
Family:  Cactaceae
Author:  Haw.

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:  0.15   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Dry prairies, sand hills and rocks[204].

Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or dried for later use[216, 257]. The dried fruit can be mixed into stews or used to thicken soups[183]. The fruit is dry and spiny[200]. It is up to 3cm long[235]. Young pads are boiled and fried[183, 257]. The large hairs are burnt off, the pads are boiled and the remaining thorns washed off. The pads are then dipped in a syrup made from boiling sweetcorn seeds and then eaten[216]. Seed - dried, parched and ground into a meal, then added to flour and used in making cakes etc[183].

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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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