Common Name: Nopal Crinado

General Information

Opuntia pilifera is a spiny, succulent, tree-like cactus with ascending branches and segmented stems; it can grow 1.5 - 5 metres tall. Individual stem segments are obovate to suborbicular, around 12 - 35cm long and 15 - 20cm wide[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and a fuel. It is grown to form stock-proof barriers, is used as a source of fuel and can be planted to help restore its native habitat..
Opuntia pilifera has a wide range, a relatively abundant population, and occurrs in protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' 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 - southwest Mexico (Oaxaca, Tlaxcala and Puebla)

Habitat

Found in vegetation dominated by xerophyllous elements such as tetechera, mezquital, throrn scrub, tetechera candelillar and izotal, preferring limestone soils; at elevations from 900 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. Of fair quality[]. The globose, red, spiny fruits are 30 - 50mm long and 15 - 27mm in diameter[].

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 plant is used medicinally[]. No more details.

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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used as a living fence[].
The plant tolerates habitat modifications and propagates vegetatively, easily recolonizing disturbed areas[].

Other Uses

The plant is used for fuel for cooking etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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