Fafdo-Thor
Opuntia elatior

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is shrubby and forms clumps. They can be 5 m high. The stem segments are oblong and olive green. They are 10-40 cm long. There are 2-8 spines which are like needles and dark brown. They are 2-7 cm long. The flowers are yellow with red stripes. They are 5 cm across. The fruit are oval and red. They are fleshy.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In the Himalayas it grows up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Canary Is., Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Himalayas, India, Kenya, Morocco, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Panama, SE Asia, South America, Spain, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are sweet and eaten raw after removing the spines. They are also roasted.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In India in the Ghats fruit are available January to July.

Its other names

Local names

Agfanta, Fanta, Hathia thor, Nagphani, Nivandga, Nivdung, Phadyanivadung, Phansavar, Sabarbond

Synonyms

Cactus elatior (P. Miller) Willdenow; Opuntia bergeriana F.A.C. Weber ex A. Berger; Opuntia nigricans Haw.; and others