Opuntia Species, Smooth Mountain Prickly Pear, Indian Fig, Mission Cactus, Tuberous Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

by BKelton Mar 22, 2009 8:16 PM

The perfect age for picking. No spines or glochids are on the pads at this age, only the vestigial leaves. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

This picture has been taken on the Canary Islands, I have a lot more of this species, but all in slides. If interested let me know and I can make copy. Take note a lot of Cv are on the market as they are used 1) as cattle food 2) as human food, in Mex. you can find them on the market as Tuna, the are cut into slices and prepared just as green beans. 3) as culture substrat for the famous Cochenille. The famous bugs used to colour all kinds of stuff, yes madam even your lipstick is made with dryed cactus bugs!!

The tallest cactus in this picture is the Opuntia ficus-indica. Picture taken at the Rios-Caledonia Adobe, San Miguel, California, U.S.A.

A seedling.

Those are not "tunas" (prickly pears) on this cactus. They are Christmas ornaments. (San Antonio, Tx.)

this is the best variety for eating the leaves-almost no stickers-it has large fruit also-- that is good, -but not as rich a flavor as the more stickery kinds--

Well cleaned seeds. Wash them and they are still red. When dried, they look like this.

In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Freshly Harvested at the perfect age. No spines or glochids are on the pads at this age, only the vestigial leaves. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

this wall of plants goes on for about 50 yards, in Los Angeles arboretum, June

Diced & ready to freeze.

Near ripened fruit. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Large, Old and has Cochineal bug (The white specks). In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

A new pad emerging with the red then green leaves. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

southern California

The pads may look smooth, but each areoles are armed with glochids.

The buds are forming right on the face of this pad.

Opuntia ficus-indica at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.

I uploeaded this pic just to show that it can also grow in the shade and in humid weathers like the one Bs. As. has!

New pad emerging, only about an inch in length.

May 21, 2006, early Summer. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Not ripe yet. July 24, 2008. In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b

Over 10' tall and 6' wide... One of several on property

It was only 5 feet tall when we moved here in 2003

spring flower, southern California

Part of the Loveday planting.

Closer view of the same plant.

More plants at Loveday Sth Aust

A big old O. ficus-indica at Vic Honeychurch's garden Renmark Sth Aust.

Flowering at Loveday Sth Aust November 2009

Close look at the flower.

In Phoenix, AZ, zone 9a/9b. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on January 3, 2005

Mid to late April, mid springtime, zone 9a/9b. The flower starts out as yellowish-orange and turns orange through the day. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on June 22, 2005

This is what happens to O. ficus-indica at 26 degrees F. The plant leans over then the stems start breaking off. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on January 15, 2007