Wheel cactus
Opuntia robusta

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A tree like cactus. It grows to 2-5 m tall. The joints are flat and almost round. They are greyish-green and 30 cm wide. They are covered with slender spines which are 5 cm long. Several spines can occur together. The flowers are yellow. They are about 7 cm across. The fruit are deep red.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It needs bright sunlight. It needs a temperature above 10°C. In Argentina it grows between 300-2,100 m above sea level. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Adelaide Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America, Slovenia, South America

How it is used for food

The young circular pads are eaten. They are cooked with onions, peppers, cheese, eggs and spices and used as fillings in tacos. They are also marinated and eaten in salads or cooked with other foods. The fruit are eaten raw or pureed or made into jellies, jams and pies. They are also used for syrup and fermented drinks.

It is widely available in stores in Mexico. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, pads

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bartolona, Dinner plate, Nopal camueso, Nopal comueso, Nopal tapon, Tuna camuesa

Synonyms

Opuntia camuessa F. A. C. Weber; Opuntia gorda Griffiths; Opuntia guerrana Griffiths; Opuntia larreyi F. A. C. Weber ex Coult.; Opuntia robusta var. guerrana (Griffiths) Sanchez-Mej.;