Espina, Gatito, Perrito
Maihueniopsis ovata

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. The cushions are compact. They are 10 cm high and 50 cm wide. The taproot is large. The stems are dark green. The segments are oval and taper towards the top. They are green and 3 cm long. The flowers are bright yellow with brownish bracts. They are 4.5 cm long and 5.5 cm wide. The fruit are round or oval. They are yellow, juicy and edible. They are 2-5 cm long.

There are about 18 Maihueniopsis species. They occur in northern South America.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows between 1,000-2,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Chile, South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

They rarely flower in cultivation.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Opuntia ovata Pfeiffer; Opuntia russellii Britton & Rose; Pseudotephrocactus ovata (Pfeiffer) Fric; Tephrocactus ovatus (Pfieffer) Backeberg; Opuntia purpurea R.E. Fries; Tephrocactus russellii (Britton & Rose) Beckeberg;