Ayrampo
Tunilla soehrensii

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is often a creeping plant and can lie along the ground. It develops roots from the edge of the growth. The stem segments are flattened. They are 6 cm long and can be curved or lumpy. There are many groups of spines. There can be 5-8 spines in a group and they can be 7 cm long. The flowers are yellow and 5.5 cm long. The fruit are 2.5 cm long. They have some spines.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The dried seeds when placed in water produce a violet dye used to colour jellies, wines and other foods. The small fruit are occasionally eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds - food colouring, seeds - dye, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aerampu

Synonyms

Opuntia boliviensis Backeberg; Opuntia cedergreniana Backeberg; Opuntia soehrensii Britton & Rose; Opuntia tilcarensis Backeberg; Platyopuntia soehrensii (Britton & Rose) F. Ritter; Tunilla tilcarensis (Backeberg) D.R. Hunt & Iliff; Opuntia multiareolata Backeberg; Opuntia obliqua Backeberg; Names not sure.