Velvet prickly pear
Opuntia tomentosa

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is a small tree up to 4.5 m high. The stem segments are flattened and covered with soft velvety hair. They are 15-32 cm long and 12-16 cm wide. It can have a few spines or be spineless. The flowers are orange and have red stripes. They are 4-5.5 cm long. The fruit are oval and red. They are 3.4-5.2 cm long.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in deep soils where water is available. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Guatemala, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or made into jams and jellies. A chutney is made by mixing the fruit with raisins, apples, onions, lemon peel, dates, sugar, vinegar and spices.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Velvet Tree Pear, Velvet opuntia, Nopal de san gabriel, Tree pear

Synonyms

Opuntia hernandezii A.P. de Candolle; Opuntia oblongata Wendland; Opuntia macdougaliana Rose; Opuntia icterica Griffiths; Opuntia sarca Griffiths ex Scheinvar;