Prickly Pear

Title

Prickly Pear

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Opuntia cochenillifera (L.) Mill.

Description

Common Names

Prickly Pear, Scurge needle

Cactaceae

Habit

Opuntia cochenillifera grows as a multi-branched shrub to 6 meters in height. The main trunk is short and up to 20 cm in diameter. From the trunk a series of photosynthetic joints (modified branches) arise. The joints are elliptic in shape, to 50 cm in length, 15 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick. On the joints are areoles set in 5 rows. The areoles are spineless although a few glochids may be present.

The actinomorphic flowers are arranged solitarily, developing from areoles along the upper edges of the joints. The calyx has numerous sepals. The corolla has numerous red petals and inside the perianth are numerous stamens. The calyx, corolla and androecium are fused to form a hypanthium. The ovary is inferior with a single locule and numerous seeds. The fruit is a red berry.

Opuntia cochenillifera grows along the edges of Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation –Shrublands (Scrublands) and human-altered habitats such as yards and fields.

Opuntia cochenillifera occurs in the central islands groupings of the Bahamian Archipelago as well as Mexico. It has spread through the tropical regions of the world.

Opuntia cochenillifera is used in the Bahamas for various issues associated with circulatory problems (cooling the blood), obstetrics/gynecology (pain after birth), gastrointestinal issues (ring worm), and urinary tract problems (burning). It is drunk as a tea to treat inflammation (rheumatism, arthritis, and gout) as well as for bathing and as a shampoo.

As with all cacti it is CITES listed.