Common Name: Red Prickly Pear

General Information

Opuntia streptacantha is a spiny, evergreen, succulent shrubby to tree-like, much-branched cactus with segmented stems; it can grow around 2 - 5 metres tall with trunks that can be up to 80cm high and 30 - 40cm in diameter. Individual stem segments are around 25 - 30cm long[, , ].
This species supplies a popular fruit, and is also a major source of 'nopalitos', the edible stem sections that are very popular in Mexico. The plant is cultivated across its range, and is also traded locally to elaborate products such as melcocha honey, red wine, colonche, and jelly[]. The plant is also grown as a living fence where it acts as a boundary marker and barrier.
Opuntia streptacantha has a wide distribution, is locally abundant and is not declining at nearly the rate sufficient to qualify for listing in a threatened category. 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

C. America - Guatemala, north to central Mexico

Habitat

Xerophyllous shrublands; at elevations from 1,600 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	3.00 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, cooked or used in preserves[338,1438]. A semi-acid or slightly sweet pulp[]. Of good quality[, ]. The globose to obovoid, yellow to red, edible fruits are 40 - 42mm long and 35 - 50mm 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. 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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is grown as a living fence in order to mark out boundaries and create a dense, prickly barrier[].

Other Uses

Various parts of the plant are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as emollients, humectants and skin conditioners[].

Propagation

Seed -

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