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'''Opuntia''' is a genus in the cactus family Cactaceae also known as nopal.
Currently, only 'prickly pear' are included in this genus of about 250 species distributed throughout most of the Americas. 'Chollas' are now included in the genus 'Cylindropuntia'.
The most commonly culinary species of is the Fig Opuntia, ''Opuntia ficus-indica'' (most culinary uses of the term 'prickly pear' refer to this Opuntia species).

Contents

Description

Ethnomedical uses

Diabetes

Alcohol hangover

Prickly pears in Europe

Prickly pears in Australia

Prickly pears in Saint Helena

Opuntia as a host for ''Dactylopius coccus''

In culture

Example species

Synonymy

References

External links

Description

'Prickly pear cacti' are usually classified in the subgenus ''Opuntia'', typically grow with flat, rounded segments that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike spines called glochids that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pear grow into dense, tangled structures. Prickly pears species are found in abundance in the West and Southwest of the United States and throughout much of Mexico. Prickly pears are also the only types of cactus natively found to grow in the eastern United States. Opuntia are the most cold-tolerant of the cacti, extending into northern Canada; one species, ''Opuntia fragilis var. fragilis'', has been found growing along the Beatton River in the province of British Columbia, southwest of Cecil Lake at 56° 17’ N latitude and 120° 39’ W longitude.^[1]
The fruit of prickly pears, called "tuna", is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. It is often used to make candies and jelly and a refreshing drink. The fruit is a favourite in Sicilian cuisine, where it is called "ficurinnia" which is literally translated as "Indian fig". The young stem segments, called nopales, are also edible in all species of Opuntia. The gel-like liquid of a prickly pear cactus can be used like a conditioner.
'Chollas', classified in the genus ''Cylindropuntia'', are distinguished by having cylindrical, rather than flattened, stem segments with the large barbed spines. Some botanists treat ''Cylindropuntia'' as a subgenus of 'Opuntia'. The stem joints of several species, notably the jumping cholla (''Cylindropuntia fulgida''), are very brittle on young stems, readily breaking off when the barbed spines stick to clothing or animal skin as a method of seed distribution. The barbed spines can remain embedded in the skin, causing significant discomfort and sometimes injury.
Charles Darwin was the first to note that these cacti have thigmotactic anthers. This means that as its anthers are touched they curl over, depositing their pollen. This movement can be seen by gently poking the anthers of an open Opuntia flower. The same trait occurs in Lophophora.

Ethnomedical uses

Diabetes

The stem of ''Opuntia spp.'' can be used to treat type II diabetes, diarrhea, and stomach ache. However, usefulness of Opuntia (also known as Nopal or Nopalitos in Spanish) in treating diabetes is not at all clear at this time. Although some researchers have shown a glucose lowering effect of ''Opuntia streptacantha'',^[2] another study of three other species of Opuntia (''Opuntia lasiacantha, O. velutina,'' and ''O. macrocentra'') showed no such effect.^[3] Another study of ''Opuntia megacantha'' raised concern about toxic effects on the kidney.^[4] It may be that certain species are effective and useful in diabetes while others are not but this needs to be clarified with further research before recommending its use. Furthermore, when buying nopal in the market, it is impossible to know which species one is buying and therefore whether or not it is useful in treating diabetes.

Alcohol hangover

''Opuntia ficus indica'' may have a reducing effect on alcohol hangover by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators. Studies have yielded differing results, with some studies witnessing significant reductions in nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite as well as the risk of a severe hangover^[5] while others witnessing no compelling evidence suggesting effects on alcohol hangover.^[6]

Prickly pears in Europe

''Opuntia littoralis'' has been introduced to Europe and flourishes in areas with a suitable climate, such as the south of France, southern Italy, Sicily and the Struma River in Bulgaria where they are referred to as "fico d'India", Southern Portugal and Madeira Islands where they are called "tabaibo" or "indian figs", and eastern and southern Spain as well as Gibraltar where they are referred to as "chumbo" or "higo chumbo".
The prickly pear also grows widely on the island of Malta where it is enjoyed by the Maltese as a typical summer fruit as well as being used to make the popular liqueur known as Bajtra. The prickly pear is so commonly found in the Maltese islands that it is often used as a dividing wall between many of Malta's characteristic terraced fields in place of the usual rubble walls.

Prickly pears in Australia

Prickly pears (mostly ''Opuntia stricta'') were imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. They quickly became a widespread weed, rendering 40,000 km² of farming land unproductive. The ''Cactoblastis'' moth, a South American moth whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the infestation. This case is often cited as a textbook example of successful biological pest control. The same moth, introduced accidentally further north of its native range into southern North America, is causing serious damage to some native species in that area.

Prickly pears in Saint Helena

Tungi is the local St. Helenian name for the prickly or cactus pears. The plants (''Opuntia ficus-indica'') were originally brought to the island by the colonial ivory traders from East Africa in the 1850s. Tungi cactus now grows wild and organically in the dry coastal regions of the island.
Three principal varieties of tungi grow on the island: the "English" (or yellow) fruit; the "Maderia" (or large red) fruit; and the small "Spiny Red". Tungi is locally distilled to produce Tungi Spirit.

Opuntia as a host for ''Dactylopius coccus''

Main articles: Cochineal

''Dactylopius coccus'' is a scale insect, from which the cochineal dye is derived. ''D. coccus'' itself is native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico. This type of insect, a primarily sessile parasite, lives on cacti from the genus ''Opuntia'', feeding on moisture and nutrients in the cacti. The insect produces carminic acid which deters predation by other insects. Carminic acid can be extracted from the insect's body and eggs to make a red dye. Cochineal is primarily used as a red food colouring and for cosmetics. The cochineal dye was used by the Aztec and Maya peoples of Central and North America. Produced almost exclusively in Oaxaca, Mexico by indigenous producers, cochineal became Mexico's second most valued export after silver.^[7] The dyestuff was consumed throughout Europe and was so highly prized that its price was regularly quoted on the London and Amsterdam Commodity Exchanges. Current health concerns over artificial food additives have renewed the popularity of cochineal dyes, and the increased demand has made cultivation of the insect profitable again.^[8]

In culture

Main articles: Coat of arms of Mexico

The coat of arms of Mexico depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon an Opuntia cactus, devouring a snake. According to the official story of México, the coat of arms of Mexico was inspired by an Aztec legend regarding the founding of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs, then a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a divine sign that would indicate the precise spot upon which they were to build their capital. Their god Huitzilopochtli had commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, perched atop a cactus that grew on a rock submerged in a lake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in the swampy Lake Texcoco. It was there they founded their new capital, Tenochtitlan. The cactus (''Opuntia ficus-indica''), full of its fruits, called "tenochtli" in Nahuatl, represent the island of Tenochtitlan.
The stems of Opuntia, called nopales, are commonly used in Mexican cuisine in dishes such as ''huevos con nopales'' (eggs with nopal), or "tacos de nopales". Nopales are also an important ingredient in New Mexican cuisine.
In Israel, the prickly pear is called ''tzabar'' (Hebrew: 'צבר') and it is the origin of the slang term Sabra, meaning a native-born Israeli Jew.^[9]

Example species

★ 'Subgenus ''Opuntia''', true prickly pears. Often difficult to identify due to hybridization.

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★ ''Opuntia basilaris'' - Beavertail cactus; found in southwest U.S. and northwest Mexico.

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★ ''Opuntia chlorotica'' - Pancake prickly pear; native to southwest U.S. and the Sonoran and Mojave deserts.

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★ ''Opuntia decumbens'' - Nopal de Culebra.

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★ ''Opuntia dillenii'' - Erect prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia echios var. gigantea'' - Galápagos prickly pear; Galápagos Islands.

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★ ''Opuntia elatior Mill. (syn. Opuntia bergeriana)

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★ ''Opuntia engelmannii'' - Engelmann's pear (also called calico cactus, Engelmann prickly pear).

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★ ''Opuntia ficus-indica'' - Indian fig opuntia; species known only from cultivation, originally in south-central Mexico; cultivated in warm parts of the world for its edible fruit.

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★ ''Opuntia fragilis'' - Little prickly pear, brittle cactus; found in the northern Great Plains and as far west as British Columbia, also found in the southern Great Plains

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★ ''Opuntia gosseliniana'' - Violet prickly pear, native to Pima County Arizona and northern Mexico.

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★ ''Opuntia humifusa'' (syn. ''Opuntia compressa'' var. ''humifusa'') - Eastern prickly pear; found throughout the U.S. east of the Great Plains and into southern Ontario

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★ ''Opuntia inamoema'' - quipá.

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★ ''Opuntia leucotricha'' - Arborescent prickly pear (other common names: Aaron’s beard cactus, semaphore cactus, Duraznillo blanco, Nopal blanco); a tree-like cactus, growing up to 5 m tall, occurring in the mountains of central Mexico.

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★ ''Opuntia littoralis'' - Coastal prickly pear, sprawling prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia macrocentra'' - Black spine prickly pear or purple prickly pear; found in southwest U.S. and northern Mexico.

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★ ''Opuntia macrorhiza'' - Plains prickly pear; found throughout the Great Plains except for the northernmost areas (not found in North Dakota), and extending sporadically eastward as far as Kentucky.

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★ ''Opuntia microdasys'' - Bunny ears; found in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.

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★ ''Opuntia monacantha'' - Common prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia phaeacantha'' - Tulip prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia pinkavae'' - Pinkava's prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia polyacantha'' - Plains prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia pusilla'' - Creeping cactus.

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★ ''Opuntia santa-rita'' - Santa Rita prickly pear; found in Texas, Arizona and northern Mexico.

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★ ''Opuntia stricta'' - Spineless prickly pear, coastal prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia tehuantepecana'' - Nopal de Caballo.

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★ ''Opuntia tomentosa'' - Woollyjoint prickly pear.

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★ ''Opuntia tuna''

★ 'Subgenus ''Cylindropuntia''', chollas.

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★ ''Opuntia acanthocarpa'' - buckhorn cholla

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★ ''Opuntia arbuscula'' - pencil cholla

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★ ''Opuntia bigelovii'' - teddy-bear cholla

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★ ''Opuntia echinocarpa'' - silver cholla

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★ ''Opuntia fulgida'' - jumping cholla or hanging chain cholla

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★ ''Opuntia imbricata'' - cane cholla, tree cholla

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★ ''Opuntia leptocaulis'' - desert Christmas cactus, Christmas Cholla, tasajillo

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★ ''Opuntia ramosissima'' - diamond cholla

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★ ''Opuntia schottii'' - dog cholla

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★ ''Opuntia spinosior'' - Tasajo cholla

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★ ''Opuntia stanlyi'' - devil cholla

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★ ''Opuntia versicolor'' - staghorn cholla

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★ ''Opuntia whipplei'' - rat-tail cholla [1]

Synonymy

The following genera are included in the genus ''Opuntia'':

★ '''Airampoa''' Fric

★ '''Cactodendron''' Bigelow, nom. inval.

★ '''Cactus''' Lem.

★ '''Chaffeyopuntia''' Fric & Schelle

★ '''Clavarioidia''' Kreuz. (nom. inval.)

★ '''Corynopuntia''' F.M.Knuth

★ '''Ficindica''' St.-Lag.

★ '''Marenopuntia''' Backeb.

★ '''Micropuntia''' Daston

★ '''Nopalea''' Salm-Dyck

★ '''Parviopuntia''' Soulaire & Marn.-Lap. (nom. inval.)

★ '''Phyllarthus''' Neck. ex M.Gómez (nom. inval.)

★ '''Pseudotephrocactus''' Fric

★ '''Salmiopuntia''' Fric (nom. inval.)

★ '''Subulatopuntia''' Fric & Schelle

★ '''Tunas''' Lunell

★ '''Weberiopuntia''' Fric

References

1. Cacti of Canada
2. Effects of nopal (Opuntia sp.) on serum lipids, glycemia and body weight, , A.C., Frati-Munari, Archivos de investigacion medica (Mexico), 1983
3. Glycemic Effects of Various Species of Nopal ''(Opuntia Sp.)'' in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, , Keith M.D., Rayburn, Texas Journal of Rural Health, 1998
4.
5. Effect of ''Opuntia ficus indica'' on Symptoms of the Alcohol Hangover, , Jeff M.D., Wiese, Archives of Internal Medicine, 2004
6. Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials, , Max H., Pittler, British Medical Journal, 2005
7. The bug that changed history Jeff Behan

8. Natural Enemies of Cochineal (''Dactylopius coccus'' Costa): Importance in Mexico Liberato Portillo M. & Ana Lilia Vigueras G.

9. ''"sabra, a native-born Israeli"'', Over here and over there — ''The Economist'' newspaper article, 16 November 2006.

External links

★ Opuntiads of the USA

★ Prickly pear cactus in North America.

★ Prickly pear cactus sorbet illustrated recipe

★ Prickly Pear Cactus at cactus-guide.com