Opuntia ficus-indica seeds
Opuntia ficus-indica
Opuntia ficus-indica is fruitful shrub without trunk, but with fleshy parts which are the leaves. It is a multibranching plant and can reach 3-5 meters.
There are many common English names for Opuntia ficus-indica such as Indian fig opuntia, Barbary fig, cactus pear, spineless cactus
Its flowers are yellow and bloom in summer
The fruit of the prickly pear has small thorns on its surface.
It grows in dry, sandy, neutral or alkaline soils and full sun.
Suitable for coastal planting.
The fruit and the plant find many applications around the world:
- As fruit after cleaned externally
- To prepare jam
- The beverage industry
- In cooking
- in Hedgerows
- As cattle feed
Species ID
Family:
Cactaceae
Species:
Opuntia ficus-indica
Synonyms:
Cactus decumanus Cactus ficus-indica Opuntia amyclaea Opuntia cordobensis Opuntia decumana Opuntia gymnocarpa Opuntia hispanica Opuntia maxima Opuntia megacantha Opuntia paraguayensis
Plant Characteristics
Circle of Life:
Perrenial
Plant Type:
- Cacti/ Succulent
Foliage:
Evergreen
Flowering colour:
Orange and red
Height:
up to 5 m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Requirements
Soil Type:
Well drained, sandy
Soil Acidity:
6,5-7,5
Light Requirements:
Full Sun- Semi-Shade
Water Requirements:
Low - Moderate
Toughness:
Resistant to drought. It can not withstand frosts