Dillen prickly pear
Opuntia dillenii

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A sprawling cactus. It grows to 3 m high. The joints are oval and dark-green. It has thorns over the plant. There can be a few or many. There can be up to 10 spines per spot and they are 1-4 cm long. They can be straight, twisted or curved. The flowers are pale yellow and 8 cm long. It flowers in the daytime. The fruit are 5-8 cm long. Probably now Opuntia stricta

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can stand very dry conditions. It grows in sandy, waste places. It needs full sun. It needs a temperature above 13°C. In Sichuan. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Anguilla, Asia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Cayman Islands, Caribbean (country/location of origin), Central America, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico, Myanmar, North America,Northeastern India, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, USA, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are peeled then eaten fresh, preserved or made into wine. Young joints can be cut into pieces then boiled or dried.

It is a cultivated food in some places.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, pads, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by chopping them into small pieces and drying before planting.

Its other names

Local names

Chapal, Chapte-sru, Chhittarthohar, Chorhatalo, Dildo, Eltham indian fig, Hakseer, Hathhathoria, Hoob sublan, Kalazaung-letwa, Kalazaw, Khashi, Kyasha, Nagadari, Nagajemudu, Nagathali, Nagophenia, Nagphana, Ni ci ba ga, Pak'an, Palakakkalli, Papaskalli, Peela saroon, Peeli saroon, Phanimanasa, Prickly Pear, Rasoi, Sappathikalli, Shazaung-letwa, Shersham, Slipper thorn, Sweet prickly pear, Tha, Thor, Vot gai, Woraki, Zaqoom, Zuqam

Synonyms

Cactus dillenii K-G.; Opuntia elatior Mill.; Opuntia horrida Salm.-Dyck. Cactus indicus Roxb.;