This species is not universally accepted. It is treated as a synonym of Opuntia ficus-indica in many recent publications (see for example Hunt, D. (2016). CITES Cactaceae Checklist, ed. 3: 1-174. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.page 100), though it is generally accepted in Mexico (see for example Villaseñor, J.L. (2016). Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 87: 559-902, page 688).
Since the fruit of Opuntia joconostle is widely used in Mexico, and is an acid 'xoconostle' type of fruit rather than the sweet flesh of Opuntia ficus-indica (and the structure of the fruit is quite different), we have decided to maintain the record for Opuntia joconostle at the present time (September 2021)]K].

Common Name: Xoconoxtle

General Information

Opuntia joconostle is a spiny, succulent, much-branched, shrubby cactus with a well-defined main stam and segmented branches; it can grow around 200 - 300cm tall. Individual stem segments are obovate, ovate or rhomboid, up to 28cm long and 21cm wide[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild and also cultivated in home gardens, occasionally also in commercial orchards, for its edible fruits and stem segments[, ].

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

Southern N. America - central Mexico

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The mature fruit is persistent on the plant, it has been observed to remain on the cladodes for 12 months or more in edible condition[]

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit has a thick peel with a pleasant consistency and acid flavour[]. An acid flavour, it is mainly used as a spice and flavouring in cooking. The fruits are known as 'xoconostles' in Mexico, where they are valued for their more acid flavour and are often consumed, though more as a vegetable and flavouring than as a raw fruit[]. A common recipe is to slice and mix xoconostles with tomatoes, onions and hot peppers. Adding diced xoconostle to salsas gives them a special zesty acidic flavour, whilst they can also be used as a base for refreshing drinks[]. The fruits range from globose to subglobose and cylindrical, around 35mm long and up to 55mm in diameter[],

Stem segments - raw or cooked[]. The tender young stem segments of various species are often cooked as a vegetable[]. Known as ‘nopals’ in Mexico, where they are a common ingredient in numerous dishes, they can be eaten raw or cooked, used in marmalades, soups, stews and salads.

Medicinal

The fruits and stem segments of this and many other species of Opuntia are commonly used in traditional medicine in Mexico as a treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes[].
Research has shown that the mesocarp of the fruit and the stem segments (but especially the mesocarp of the fruit) possess a glucose- and lipid-lowering effect in both healthy people and those suffering from type 2 diabetes. This suggests that the frequent consumption of the plant in the diet helps to prevent and control the complications associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus[]..

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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