Types of Prickly Pear Cactus | Home Guides | SF Gate Types of Prickly Pear Cactus Types of Prickly Pear Cactus Prickly pear fruits are a good source of vitamin C. The name "prickly pear" refers to the cactus species Opuntia and also to the fruits these cacti produce. They produce paddle- or cylinder-like leaves, and the fruit of many species are edible and used in making jellies, juices and candies. The pads of some species are a staple ingredient in many Mexican dishes. The plants vary in size from small groundcovers to tree-sized specimens, all bearing bright yellow to red flowers. Most are more tolerant of cool-weather conditions than other cacti genera. Indian Fig Prickly Pear The Indian fig (O. ficus-indica) is perhaps the best known and most utilized species of the prickly pears. It’s an important commercial crop for arid regions where it is grown for its large sweet fruits, sometimes called "tunas." These fruits come in yellow, red and pink, and are eaten fresh, used to make refreshing drinks, or used in jellies and candies.

The Southwest cattle industry also uses it for forage, and the pads are an important part of Mexican cuisine. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones fall between 7 and 10, the Indian fig has been found as far north as Canada. Spineless Prickly Pears The spineless prickly pears (O. ellisiana, O. stricta or O. robusta) are primarily used as ornamental plants when outside their normal growing environment. Although they are spineless, they still have fine stiff hairs (called glochids), which can irritate the skin. They have bright yellow flowers that sometimes have a red flush. The pads can be green or have a bluish waxy coating, and are used in containers or for xeriscape gardening. Although O. ellisiana and O. stricta are more shrub-like at 2 to 5 feet tall, the Opunita robusta can grow into a small tree of 15 feet tall. They bear sweet fruits and have edible pads similar to the Indian Fig variety. Purple Prickly Pears Several prickly pears have a colorful purple blush on their pads. The "Santa Rita" prickly pear (O.

violacea) has pretty purple pads that deepen in color during times of stress or drought. The variety called "Baby Rita" (O. basilaris) has purple pads, grows to only 8 inches and has pink flowers. Some blind prickly pears (O. rufida) have a reddish purple tinge. All are hardy enough to withstand frosts, but thrive in the more arid parts of U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 7 to 10. Miniature Prickly Pears Many prickly pears grow in low clumps or form miniature pads. The golden beavertail prickly pears (O. aurea) grow pads that reach 2 inches across and have clear yellow flowers. The bunny ears, or polka dot, prickly pears (O. microdasys “Albata”) forms tight clumps of small pads covered in snowy white spines. The unusual Joseph’s coat prickly pear (O. monacantha variegata) grows to about 18 inches, and forms variegated green and cream pads and small red flowers. All are hardy from U.S.

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B., Ghorbel, A., and Hayashi, T. Potent virucidal effect of pheophorbide a and pyropheophorbide a on enveloped viruses. J.Nat.Med. 2011;65(1):229-233. View abstract. See 38 Reviews for this Treatment - OR - Related to PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS Learn about User Reviews and read IMPORTANT information about user generated content Conditions of Use and Important Information: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you. This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence.

For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. © Therapeutic Research Faculty 2009. Prickly Pear Cactus - DesertUSA Prickly Pear Cactus Genus Opuntia Most prickly pear cactus have yellow, red or purple flowers, even among the same species. They vary in height from less than a foot (Plains, Hedgehog, Tuberous) to 6 or 7 feet (Texas, Santa Rita, Pancake). Pads can vary in width, length, shape and color. The Beavertail, Santa Rita and Blind Pear are regarded as spineless, but all have glochids. Prickly Pear Cactus flowers Prickly pear cactus information Prickly pear cactus represent about a dozen species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactaceae) in the North American deserts. All have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves. The pads are actually modified branches or stems that serve several functions -- water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. Chollas are also members of the Opuntia genus but have cylindrical, jointed stems rather than flat pads.

Like other cactus, most prickly pears and chollas have large spines -- actually modified leaves -- growing from tubercles -- small, wart-like projections -- on their stems. But members of the Opuntia genus are unique because of their clusters of fine, tiny, barbed spines called glochids. Found just above the cluster of regular spines, glochids are yellow or red in color and detach easily from the pads. Glochids are often difficult to see and more difficult to remove, once lodged in the skin. Tiny, barbed spines called glochids. The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name "tuna." Prickly pear branches (the pads) are also cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They, too, are sold in stores under the name "Nopalito." Because of the glochids, great care is required when harvesting or preparing prickly pear cactus. Both fruits and pads of the prickly pear cactus are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fibers that may help keep blood sugar stable. Prickly Pear Nectar is made with the juice and pulp of the fruits and is available from our online store.

2 Easy Ways to Eat Prickly Pear Cactus (with Pictures) Two Methods: Pads or Nopales Prickly Pear Community Q&A Prickly pear cactus has been a staple of the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years. In parts of the U.S. it has been gaining popularity as an exotic, gourmet and healthy addition to one's diet . The prickly pear plant has three different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable , the petals of the flowers, which can be added to salads, and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit . They grow wild throughout the American southwest , down to South America and up to Canada . The ones you may find at a local store or farmers market will surely originate from a commercial nopal farm. Ingredients Pads or Nopales 1 Buy or forage some prickly pear pads. See Warnings. There's a reason it's called the prickly pear cactus. Find pads that are bright green and firm. Small, young pads harvested in early spring are thought to be the most succulent, delicate in flavor, and have the fewest spines.

The thicker a pad, the older it is. Older pads tend to be stringy and their sap will be thicker, which some people find unpleasant. Leave those for other species who use them as survival food during lean foraging seasons. The tender pads are sometimes sold as "baby nopales". If you're harvesting them yourself, wear extremely heavy gloves or use tongs. Snap the pads off the plant or cut at the stem. Cutting at the stem reduces stress on the pad, and allows the cactus to recover more quickly than snapping or tearing the pad away. This helps keep your cactus plant healthy for future harvests. 2 Remove the spines from the pad by using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife . Don't take off the gloves until the pads are completely rinsed and the peeled remnants are cleared. The pads not only have large spines, but there are also tiny, invisible and far more irritating spines called glochids that are extremely difficult to remove from the skin. The spines and glochids can also be removed from the prickly pear pads by burning them off with a small torch or by placing the pad on a gas burner and turning it with tongs. See Warnings.

3 If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know. Tips The flavor of prickly pears has been compared to kiwi , but not as acidic. If you get the fine spines stuck in your skin, don't bother with tweezers. Instead put a thin layer of Elmer's glue over the spines. Let the glue dry until there is a solid "skin" on your hand, then peel it off. The spines will peel off painlessly with the glue. (This also works for removing splinters.) The glochids actually are barbed and will work into your skin if you are not careful. If you don't have Elmer's glue handy, and the glochids become very annoying, duct tape or strong tack masking tape can remove them. The cooked pads have a flavor comparable to green beans . They also have a texture reminiscent of okra, which some people find unpleasant, and others find enticing. This quality is exaggerated if the nopales are overcooked. If grilling on an open fire the spines will also burn off. This can also be used to feed livestock on a short term basis.

Prickly pears are eaten not only in the United States and Mexico, but also in the Mediterranean and in European countries. In Italy, the fruit is often presented in a bowl of cold water and in Malta, it is customary to chill the fruit for a couple of hours in the refrigerator before serving. To learn more about the nutritional benefits and value of prickly pear cactus, look into the External Links below. To store nopales in the refrigerator, make sure they are fresh and unwrinkled. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Nopales can be stored for up to two weeks. If you work with cacti regularly, you may well find the glochids are only a minor annoyance, and that the itchiness is only intermittently noticeable. However, the glochids of some of the Opuntia are larger than the spines of some of the other species. The glochids of the Opuntia Engelmanii v. Texensis in particular can be very, very painful, as can the spines.

Gloves are still recommended, however, if you need to handle sensitive areas of the body (as when urinating) or if it is likely you will be caressing someone who is not also inured to the spines. Purchase your first pads. Don't harvest them yourself. Then you will know what to look for. In some cases the glochids can be removed most easily by rubbing against a piece of heavy cloth (such as an old serape) that's used for no other purpose. And this article indicates that Native Americans rubbed "beavertail" pads in the sand to remove the glochids, but rather than "sand" it was more likely the hard-packed sandy dirt of the American Southwest. Harvest late in the afternoon as the sap is at its lowest or first thing in the morning . You can usually buy pads 20 centimeter (7.9 in) long (classified as a small pad) or a pear 10 centimeter (3.9 in) long (classified as medium). Anything longer proves difficult to prepare. Warnings If harvesting your own plants, always wear hand protection. Some species of prickly pear cactus don't have spines, but all have glochids.

Be very careful when removing the spines from the plant, or buy pads or pears that are already de-spined. Unless you wear extremely heavy gloves, it's best to handle the pads with tongs or some other "remote" device. Beware pear cactus can poke thorns through you and hurt really bad. Updated: Views: 1,403,283 "I have been having trouble sleeping and I was really bored, so this article really helped me with that itch. Actually, I love this website, but sometimes you just need to learn how to eat a prickly pear cactus."..." more - Julia Pelech "The article was useful in confirming many things I've read about the prickly pear. It also taught me some things I was still uncertain about, such as the value of the pads."..." more - Michael Farmer "I found some prickly pear fruit at the 99 cents only store, and didn't know exactly how to prepare them for eating. Your article about this was really helpful."..." more - Cindi Go "I knew nothing about preparing the fruit for eating, and learned everything I need to know.

Now to find some pears in the SW the next time I'm in the area."..." more - Sara Karis "Helped me very much, and now I have a lot of info about this great plant that Jehovah God has given us so we stay in good health in our lives. Thank you."..." more - Rafael Angel "The tip about the glochids, and buying the first prickly pear, and how to remove the spikes, and the flavor compares all helped."..." more - Anonymous Just bought some, and wanted to know what the nutritional part of the pear fruit was. I just found out. - Valerie Cortez Phew -- learned about glochids and how to deal with this annoyance from this article, thanks! - Xylem Galadhon I didn't know we could eat cactus! - Ali Sari Motlagh Removing spines and glochids. - Anonymous Prickly Pear Cactus: Uses and Risks Prickly Pear Cactus Prickly pear cactus grows in hot, sunny climates, like the southwest U.S. and Mexico. People eat the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. It's also a traditional remedy for diabetes . Why do people take prickly pear cactus?

In people with type 2 diabetes , supplements made from one type of broiled prickly pear cactus stem may lower blood sugar levels . Early research shows that the supplements may lower blood sugar by 17% to 46% in some people. Only one species -- opuntia streptacantha -- had this effect. More research is needed to see if this effect would continue with repeated doses. Diabetes is a very serious condition. Don't ever try to treat it on your own with supplements . Prickly pear cactus may also help prevent hangovers by reducing swelling. One study shows that taking prickly pear cactus supplement five hours before heavy drinking cuts hangover symptoms by 50%. People were less likely to have upset stomach and dry mouth . Binge drinking, however, is never safe or advised. Prickly pear cactus may help with enlarged prostate symptoms. It may also lower unhealthy cholesterol levels . But we need more research to be sure. Prickly pear cactus is a folk remedy for many other conditions, ranging from sunburn to ulcers to preventing mosquito bites . Some people use it on the skin to soothe big bites. However, we don't know if these uses actually work.

There's no standard dose for prickly pear cactus for any condition. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it very hard to set a standard dose. Ask your doctor for advice. Can you get prickly pear cactus naturally from foods? People eat prickly pear cactus in sautés, omelets, salads, and many other dishes. Raw, it tastes like watermelon. People also make it into: Candies Risks. If you have diabetes, don't take prickly pear cactus supplements unless a doctor says it's safe. You may need to stop taking prickly pear cactus before surgery. It’s not known if prickly pear cactus is safe for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding . Interactions. If you take any medications regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using prickly pear cactus supplements. Since prickly pear cactus affects blood sugar levels, it may not be safe if you're taking diabetes drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does regulate dietary supplements ; however, it treats them like foods rather than medications.

Unlike drug manufacturers, the makers of supplements don’t have to show their products are safe or effective before selling them on the market. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by David T. Derrer, MD on January 23, 2015 Sources Prickly pear cactus Prickly pear cactus Opuntia A wonderfully diverse group of plants, prickly pear cacti include some of the few hardy species for cold-climate gardeners. The plants are known for their spiny, paddle-shape leaves and colorful summertime cup-shape flowers. Most types grow best in full sun and gravelly, well-drained soil. Oops, we're sorry. Something went wrong. Please try again later. Oops, we're sorry. Something went wrong. Please try again later. Share your take on this idea! Upload your photo here. Under 6 inches to 8 feet Width: how to grow Prickly pear cactus Propagation more varieties for Prickly pear cactus Bunny ears cactus Opuntia microdasys is native to the North American Southwest and shows off red new growth that matures to dark green pads. Cheery yellow flowers appear in early summer. It grows 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

Zones 9-10 'Pink' prickly pear Opuntia compressa 'Pink' is a hardy, easy-growing selection that offers bold pink flowers in summer. It grows 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Zones 4-9 Prickly pear Opuntia compressa, also called O. humifisa, is a North American species that offers golden-yellow flowers in summer. The red fruits are edible. It grows 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Zones 4-9 Spineless prickly pear Opuntia ellisiana is a North American native that bears yellow (rarely pink, orange, or red) flowers and tiny, hidden spines. It grows 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Zones 7-10 plant Prickly pear cactus with

Question: A "prickly pear" is a type of what?
Answer: Cactus