Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly Pear, Tuna, Nopal)

Photographs

My photos:

This photo was taken in Caspers Wilderness Park, Orange County, California.

Click on the above thumbnail to see a field of Opuntia ficus-indica.

Below, O. ficus-indica growing on a hillside at Torrey Pines.

More photos:

PimaAZmg shows photos of full grown plants and of the flowers in bloom.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Cactaceae

In the garden:

Opuntia ficus-indica is a tree-like cactus, which grows up to 15 feet tall. It’s spines are white, if present. It blooms in May or June with yellow to reddish flowers; fruits are purple. Its flowers are orange-yellow. Once established, it requires little or no water. Handle this cactus carefully, as the bristles break off easily and are irritating.

Use it as a specimen plant in a rock garden or desert setting. Or grow it along with your vegetables, as both the fruit and the leaves are edible. Propagation is by leaf cuttings or seed, with leaf cuttings being by far the easiest method.

In the wild:

Because this plant roots very easily from leaves that come in contact with the soil, it could easily take over an area if it were not held in check by periodic fires. Burros eat all parts of this plant, and deer will eat it when food is scarce. This is a non-native cultivated plant that has escaped cultivation and naturalized in the US.

Ethnobotany:

Opuntia ficus-indica is a native plant of Mesoamerica (ref.), which spread throughout both the North and South American continents. With the voyages of Columbus it was introduced into Europe and other parts of the planet. It has been cultivated as a primary food source by the native people, probably for millenia. The fruit and leaves (pads) are eaten. Sometimes used for medicinal purposes. In particular, the juice of its leaves is used to treat burns, the way Aloe barbadensis is popularly used today.

Today, the fruit is often sold in grocery stores. The leaves are even more commonly available, mainly canned but sometimes fresh.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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