Nopal memelo
Opuntia hyptiacantha

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is shrubby or treelike. The branches curve upwards and are 2-5 m high. The stem segments are oval. They are dull green. They are 19-30 cm long by 12-19 cm wide. There are 3-8 erect spines. The lower ones are bent backwards. They are 0.5-1.6 cm long. The flowers are red to orange and 6.5-7 cm long. The fruit are oval and red. They are 3-4.5 cm long by 2.6-3.2 cm wide. They are edible.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nopal cascaron, Tuna cascarona, Tuna chaveña, Tuna corriente, Tuna memela

Synonyms

Opuntia cretochaeta Griffiths; Opuntia matudae Scheinvar;