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Prickly pear cactus plant guide – Surprise! All parts of this plant are edible!

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Prickly pear cactus plant (Opuntia species)

imageThe Prickly Pear (or Paddle) cactus has flat, padlike stems that are green. The Prickly Pear has two kinds of spines – hard, fixed spines and small, hairlike prickles that easily penetrate the skin and detach from the plant.  The plants grow in dense, tangled structures with each plant having many round, furry dots that contain sharp-pointed hairs covering these stems.

Where to find Prickly pear cactus plants

This cactus is found in arid and semiarid regions and in dry, sandy areas of wetter regions throughout most of the United States and Central and South America. Some species are planted in arid and semiarid regions of other parts of the world.

Edible parts of the Prickly pear cactus plant

imageAll parts of the plant are edible. Peel the fruits to remove the hair-like spines and eat them fresh or crush them to prepare a refreshing drink. Avoid the tiny, pointed hairs which are more irritating to the mouth and stomach than the hard, thorn-like protrusions. Roast the seeds and grind them to a flour (when raw, they are very hard and can break your teeth).

The pads are edible and produce the most product.  Remove pads from the plant by breaking or cutting them off.  New pads are the best.  Older pads (the thicker pads on the plant) can be stringy.  Older pads also contain the most sap.  Boiling the cactus multiple times will thin the sap.

Remove all spines (both the hard ones and the hair-like ones) by peeling the pad.  Cook the pads by boiling, grilling, or just eat them raw.

Note: Avoid any plant that resembles the prickly pear cactus and has milky sap.

Other uses for Prickly pear cactus plants

The pad is a good source of water. Peel it carefully to remove all sharp hairs before putting it in your mouth. You can also use the pads to promote healing. Split them and apply the pulp to wounds. Other uses for Prickly pear cactus plants include:

  1. Medicinal purposes – The prickly pear cactus has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as wounds, burns, inflammation, and gastrointestinal problems.
  2. Cosmetics – The prickly pear cactus is used in cosmetics and beauty products due to its high vitamin E and antioxidant content. It is believed to have anti-aging and moisturizing properties.
  3. Animal feed – The prickly pear cactus is also used as a source of feed for livestock, particularly in arid areas where other vegetation is scarce.
  4. Dye – The fruit of the prickly pear cactus can be used to make a natural dye that is used in textiles and fabrics.

Prickly pear cactus plant picture identification guide

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