Common Name: Nopal Tapón

General Information

Opuntia robusta is a spiny, evergreen, succulent many-branched shrubby or somewhat tree-like cactus; it can grow 1 - 3 metres or more tall with more or less distinct trunks. The stems are segmented, individual stem segments are round to oblong, robust, thick, 20 - 25cm long and 10 - 12cm wide[].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for its edible fruits and stem segments. Its stem segments are considered to provide the best quality napales (a commonly eaten traditional Mexican food), and they are much sold in local markets and are also canned. The plant is sometimes cultivated for food and wild populations are also managed and encouraged[, ].
Opuntia robusta is widespread, common, has no major threats, is found in numerous protected areas, and is spread by human activities. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

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 and northern Mexico

Habitat

Xerophyllous and crassulacean vegetation, but also in Pinus and Quercus forests and grasslands[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Opuntia robusta is a plant of arid and semi-arid regions in the subtropical and tropical regions of Mexico.

The plant is often cultivated, and has become naturalized in many areas as a weed.
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[, ]. A semi-acid or slightly sweet pulp[]. Of good quality[]. The peel is consumed fried, resembling French fried potatoes[]. The globose to ellipsoidal, somewhat tuberculate, deep red fruits are 7 - 9cm long[].

Stem segments - raw or cooked[, , ]. The robust, glaucous blue-green stem segments are round to oblong, 20 - 25cm long and 10 - 12cm wide[].
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

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[].

Other Uses

The juice expressed from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

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

Propagation

Seed -

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