Opuntia polyacantha
Plains Prickly Pear
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
The plant has numerous minutely barbed glochids (hairs) that are easily dislodged when the plant is touched and they then become stuck to the skin where they are difficult to see and remove. They can cause considerable discomfort[3].
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or dried for later use[5][7]. The dried fruit can be mixed into stews or used to thicken soups[2]. The fruit is dry and spiny[3]. It is up to 3cm long[6]. Young pads are boiled and fried[2][7]. The large hairs are burnt off, the pads are boiled and the remaining thorns washed off. The pads are then dipped in a syrup made from boiling sweetcorn seeds and then eaten[5]. Seed - dried, parched and ground into a meal, then added to flour and used in making cakes etc[2].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Seed
- Plant part
- Stem
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The stems are astringent and diuretic[7]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[7]. A poultice of the flesh has been used to treat skin sores, infections, wounds and back aches[7].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
Material uses
The peeled stems have been used as a mordant in fixing dyes[7]. A pink to red dye is obtained from the fruit[7]. A gum is obtained from the stem that can be used as an adhesive[7].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Gum
- Product or use
- Mordant
Environment
- Range
- N. America - British Columbia to Oregon and Texas
- Habitat
- Dry prairies, sand hills and rocks[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a very well-drained compost in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from winter wet. Make sure you have some reserve plants in case those outdoors do not overwinter. Cuttings of leaf pads at any time in the growing season. Remove a pad from the plant and then leave it in a dry sunny place for a couple of days to ensure that the base is thoroughly dry and has begun to callous. Pot up into a sandy compost. Very easy, rooting quickly.
Cultivation
Requires a sandy or very well-drained soil[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 to 7.5[3]. Must be kept fairly dry in winter but likes a reasonable supply of water in the growing season[3]. A position at the base of a south-facing wall or somewhere that can be protected from winter rain is best for this plant. Requires warmth and plenty of sun. Plants tolerate considerable neglect. This species is very cold tolerant and can succeed outdoors in a selected site in many areas of the country[3].
References
Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-660-00025-3
Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9