Opuntia ficus-indica | Tuna Cactus, Barbary Fig, Pricklypear Cactus. Originated in … Central and South America | Shrub
Opuntia ficus-indica belongs to the plant family CACTACE and Genus Opuntia This Shrub prefers soil a pH of 6 . All plants need light to allow the photosynthesis process of converting carbon dioxide to growth sugars to take place. Some plants need more sun-light than others. For this plant those sunlight conditions are well described as … Full sun
We are often asked about plants for humming bird attraction. Unfortunately Opuntia ficus-indica does not attract these beautiful hummingbird, sunbird or nectar feeding varieties of garden birds
Impressive Autumn foliage display is not shown by Opuntia ficus-indica so look for an alternative plant for pleasing Fall leaf properties
Opuntia ficus-indica tuna cactus,barbary fig,pricklypear cactus is not known as a butterfly attracting plant
Opuntia ficus-indica | Tuna Cactus, Barbary Fig, Pricklypear Cactus is an evergreen specimen which means it keeps it leaves throughout the year.
Almost all plants grown in gardens need to be fed using fertilzer in order to see them at their best. For this plant the suggested fertilizer program would be based upon … Low nitrogen
Opuntia ficus-indica does best in full sun.
Cotinus coggygria is an Annual which means it lives for 1 year before dying. This plant needs to be regrown for success in the next season.
Opuntia ficus-indica has an annual life cycle. Prickly pear cactus (locally known in some parts as tuna cactus and barbary fig) is evergreen.
This plant is will tolerate frost and is classed as … Hardy
Some suggested culinary uses for this plant are … Syrup;Jam;Fresh;Cooked. A descriptive flavor or texture charateristic of this plant is … has juicy pulp-filled leaves and seed-pods which have sweet fruit surrounding numerous seeds
Fruit;Leaves;Seed pods … 2 inch oval shaped, colored green turning to red over time, covered with short prickly hairs, and juicy red flesh
The fruit of this plant as well as the leaves and the seed pods are all edible. Its most notable nutritional component is vitamin C. Some of its possible culinary uses include: as syrup and in jam. Opuntia ficus-indica is most commonly used cooked or fresh. Prickly pear cactus (sometimes called tuna cactus and barbary fig) is thought to have beneficial uses as either an irritable bowel relief or a prostate reducer. The flowers and the fruit and even the stems are used to prepare herbal remedies.
"Growing Unusual Fruit", Alan E. Simmons, Walker and Company, New York, 1972.
"The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants", Andrew Chevallier, DK Publishing, New York, 1996.
"Unusual Vegetables: Something New for This Year's Garden", Anne Moyer Halpin, editor, Organic Gardening and Farming, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1978.