Low prickly pear
Opuntia humifusa

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It forms spreading clumps. They are about 30 cm high. The stem segments are fleshy and dull green. They are slightly spiny. They are 4-10 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. The flowers are yellow and 4-6 cm long and 4-6 cm wide. The fruit is dark red or purple. They are 1.5-4 cm long by 2-3 cm wide.

There are about 250 Opuntia species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, North America, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw, roasted, stewed or dried for later use. The young joints are roasted and eaten. The prickles are first removed. The flower buds can be de-spined and then roasted and cooked in stews. The seeds can be dried, roasted and ground for soup.

Edible parts

Fruit, stems, pads, flowers, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown by seeds, division of the root or by using segments.

Its other names

Local names

Creeping Pear, Devil's tongue, Eastern Prickly pear, Indian fig, Smooth prickly pear

Synonyms

Cactus compressus Salisb.; Cactus humifusus Rafinesque; Opuntia allairei Griffiths; Opuntia calcicola Wherry; Opuntia compressa J. F. Macbr.; Opuntia cumulicola Small; Opuntia fuscoatra Engel.; Opuntia humifusa var. minor (Engel.) Crook & Mottram; Opuntia impedata Small ex Britton & Rose; Opuntia italica Tenore ex Pfeiffer; Opuntia mesacantha Rafinesque; Opuntia nemoralis Griffiths; Opuntia rafinesquei Engelm.; Opuntia rafinesquei var. minor Engel.; Opuntia rubiflora Griffiths; Opuntia vulgaris Mill.;