This species is sometimes included in Opuntia megarrhiza.

Common Name:

General Information

Opuntia pachyrrhizais a spiny, erect to prostrate, usually poorly branched shrubby plant growing up to 40cm tall. The rootstock has long, thickened roots that can be 40cm long and 12cm thick. The stems are segmented, individual segments can be up to 35cm long, 16cm wide and 5 - 8mm thick. The plant typically only has 1 - 3 segments, though occasional prostrate plants with several secondary or tertiary segments can be found[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.
Opuntia pachyrrhiza has a small extent of occurrence, its population is severely fragmented, the quality of its habitat is expected to decline in the long term due to the intensification of human activities, and there is a reduction in the number of individuals due to collecting for medicinal use. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' 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

Southern N. America - central Mexico (Nuevo León, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí).

Habitat

Disturbed grassland and chaparral of Quercus striatula and Agave asperrima on the tops of mountains. The soils are relatively deep-dark clay, with limestone outcrops[]..

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The cladodes of this species can die back in the winter months and regrow in the spring, this is an adaptation to freezing and the impacts of fires[]..

Edible Uses

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. The most commonly used species are Opuntia ficus-indica or Opuntia hyptiacantha (syn Opuntia matudae), although the stems of almost all Opuntia species are edible[, ].

Medicinal

The rhizomes are used as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of broken bones[].

We have no further 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[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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