Prickly pear
Opuntia maxima

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is a shrubby plant. The stem segments are oblong and dark green. They are 30-40 cm long. The leaves have sharp points and are red. There are 1-4 spines. They are less than 3 cm long. The flowers are yellow. The fruit are juicy. When ripe they are light greenish-yellow.

There are about 180 Opuntia species. Probably all are edible. They grow in arid regions.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Europe, Mexico, North America, Spain

How it is used for food

The fruit are peeled and eaten raw. The flowers are sucked. The flat stems (cladodes) are used in stews.

Edible parts

Fruit, stems, flower - nectar

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chumbera, Palas, Tuna blanca, Tuna mansa

Synonyms

Cactus decumanus Willd.; Cactus elongatus Willd.; Cactus lanceolatus Haw.; Opuntia amyclaea Ten.; Opuntia decumana (Willd.) Haw.; Opuntia elongata (Willd.) Haw.; Opuntia lanceolata (Haw.) Haw.;