Some authorities classify this species as Nopalea dejecta[].

Common Name: Spiny Nopal

General Information

Opuntia dejecta is a spiny, succulent, evergreen shrubby or tree-like cactus with straggling or pendant branches; it usually grows 1 - 2 metres tall[], up to 5 metres tall in another report[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for its edible stems and fruits, which are consumed locally. It is occasionally cultivated in tropical parts of America[].
Opuntia dejecta has long been in cultivation and plants have been introduced to many countries where they have escaped and become naturalized. As a result it is impossible to distinguish the true native range from the introduced range. The species is thought most likely to have originated from Panama in Central America, but this is not certain. Since nothing is known about its native range, its population size or trends, and whether or not it faces any threats, the plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The plant has numerous minutely barbed glochids - these are barbed spines that are usually small to minute and are very sharp and brittle. The glochids are very easily dislodged when the plant is touched and can penetrate the skin where, because of their barbs, they become stuck and are very difficult to see and remove. They can cause considerable irritation and discomfort[, ].
Opuntia species can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, especially in older parts of the plant. Perfectly alright in small quantities, foods containing oxalic acid should not be eaten in large amounts since it can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[, ].

Botanical References

Range

Central America - El Salvador, Guatemala.

Habitat

Moist or dry thickets, often in coastal thickets, mostly on the Pacific coastal plain in Guatemala, at elevations up to 1,350 metres[]. It is almost always found in medium or dense shade under low trees[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fruits are edible[, , , , ]. A sweet flavour[]. Of inferior quality[]. The deep red fruits are globose, but we do not have measurements[].

The young flattened stems are cut into strips, cooked and eaten as a vegetable[, , ]. A traditional method of cooking is first to boil, them, then strip of the outer skin and spines, fry them in oil with onions and chillis and season them with salt and pepper, making a slimy, acid tasting, palatable green.[]

The flower buds are boiled in water and eaten[]. Opuntia flower buds are a rich source of calcium and soluble fibre, as well as containing significant protein[]

Medicinal

We have no specific information on medicinal uses for this species, but the following notes are likely to apply universally to Opuntia species and other related genera[].

The flesh of tender young stem segments can be applied as a poultice to reduce inflammation[].
The mucilage and soluble fibre found in the flowers and stem segments have been shown to help control blood-sugar levels associated with adult-onset diabetes[].
There is clinical evidence that the soluble fibre in the stem segments helps reduce blood cholesterol levels[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is cultivated as a living fence in some areas[, ]. Its prickly stems act as an effective stock-proof barrier[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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