Pricklypear

Description:

The green stems of this low-growing perennial cactus are flattened and are formed of segments. Barbed bristles are found around the surfaces of the segments and longer spines are sometimes present.[2] The flowers are yellow to gold in color and are found along the margins of mature segments. The flowers are waxy and sometimes have red centers. They measure 4-6 cm wide and bloom in the late spring. The juicy and edible red fruits measure from 3-5 cm. As the fruit matures, it changes colour from green to red, and often remains on the cactus until the following spring. There are 6 to 33 small, flat, light-colored seeds in each fruit.

Habitat:

navigation, search Opuntia humifusa Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Core eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Genus: Opuntia Species: O. humifusa Binomial name Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. Opuntia humifusa, commonly known as the Eastern Prickly Pear or Indian Fig, is a native cactus found in most of eastern North America. It ranges from Montana eastward to southern Ontario and then on to Massachusetts, south to Florida and westward to New Mexico.[1] This plant is very intolerant of shade. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.

Notes:

Pricklypear is a must-have for the edible garden. The pads, which taste similar to green beans, can be peeled, chopped, sautéed, and stirred into omelets or diced and added raw to salads. The melony-tasting fruits, rich in vitamin C, can be eaten raw or used to make ruby-red jellies, jams, syrups, and candies. Wear heavy gloves or use a thick wad of newspaper when harvesting and peeling any part of this plant; some individuals have inch-long spines, and all pricklypears have small, barbed, hair-like bristles ("glochids") that are almost invisible but can easily penetrate the skin and cause extreme discomfort and irritation.