Opuntia lutea
(Rose) D.R.Hunt
Cactaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Opuntia lutea is a spiny, tree-like cactus with spreading branches, segmented stems and a distinct short trunk; it can grow up to 5 metres tall. Individual stem segments are around 10 - 22cm long[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
,
1996- Title
- Las Cactáceae de Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Véliz M.E.
- Publisher
- Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 99922-2-551-3
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is also grown as a living fence where it acts as a boundary marker and barrier.
There is insufficient information on what is happening to Opuntia lutea in the Guatemala and Honduras parts of its range. It qualifies for a threatened status in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua because of the small population size. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
C. America - Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala; southern N. America - southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Chiapas)
Habitat
Dry deciduous forest and spiny scrub; at elevations from 100 - 1,100 metres[
1996- Title
- Las Cactáceae de Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Véliz M.E.
- Publisher
- Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 99922-2-551-3
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Data Deficient |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 4.00 m |
| Pollinators | Bees, Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
1996- Title
- Las Cactáceae de Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Véliz M.E.
- Publisher
- Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 99922-2-551-3
- Description
-
]. The red, ovoid fruit is around 4cm long with persistant spines[
1996- Title
- Las Cactáceae de Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Véliz M.E.
- Publisher
- Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 99922-2-551-3
- Description
-
].
The tender young stem segments of various species are often cooked as a vegetable[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. 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. The most commonly used species are Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia matudae, although the stems of almost all Opuntia species are edible[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
2001- Title
- Uses of Opuntia Species and the potential impact of Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) in Mexco
- Publication
- Florida Entomologist 84(4) pp 493-498 2001
- Author
- Vigueras A.L. & Portillo L.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
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[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The flesh of tender young stem segments can be applied as a poultice to reduce inflammation[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
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[
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
].
There is clinical evidence that the soluble fibre in the stem segments helps reduce blood cholesterol levels[
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
].
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant is grown as a living fence in order to mark out boundaries and create a dense, prickly barrier[
1996- Title
- Las Cactáceae de Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Véliz M.E.
- Publisher
- Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 99922-2-551-3
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
