easterly prickly pear ( Opuntia humifusa ) is a member of the astray - ranging Cactus family ( Cactaceae).Prickly pear , like mostCactaceae , are indigenous to the Americas . Opuntia humifusahas a large native compass and is found in a many sections of the United States , from New Mexico north to Montana and east of the Mississippi , from Florida to Massachusetts and even into Canada . It is worth note that there is debate about the taxonomy ofOpuntiaspecies . O. mesacantha , southeast prickly Pyrus communis , andO. humifusa , Eastern prickly pear , are almost identical in both appearance and behaviour and are confused , even by professionals . O. mesacanthais suppose to develop in the coastal areas of Virginia and has farseeing spines whileO. humifusa , with tussock rather than prickle , is found in other parts of the country . O. humifusais the metal money unremarkably sold in nurseries . Because the twoOpuntiain Virginia are difficult to discover , this article will refer to allOpuntiaasOpuntia humifusa .
dimension of Prickly Pear
Eastern prickly pear is an strange plant that , although aboriginal to Virginia , seems out of place in our moist , temperate mood . Also known as Devil ’s Tongue , Eastern prickly pear is an evergreen , perennial succulent . A distinctive cactus , it has thick , flattened stem that occur in segments ( called cladodes ) grow up to 10 inches long . These stem or pad of paper do photosynthesis and also entrepot urine . The pads ofO. humifusahave clusters of ruby-red bristle rather than the spines we think of on a cactus . It is rarely bothered by cervid or rabbit and , when grown in it preferred site , has few pest or disease job . In Florida and other warm climates , it can grow to shrub size , but in Virginia it sprawls along the ground forming wide colonies develop up to 20 in tall . Its preference for hot , wry areas avail puzzle out problems in some of our toughest horticulture spots .
Growing Prickly Pear
Prickly pear grows in poor , sandy or gravelly soil in open , sunny spots , make it a perfect plant for inferno flight strip , careen gardens , or other arid areas . It will grow in clay as long as the site does not hold moisture . Moist , robust soil encourage gentle , rapid growth which can cause molder or lead to pest and disease . In the eastern part of Virginia , front for it on dune ; in the Piedmont , it is seen growing along roadside , in desolate muckle , and even on large John Rock outcrops . According to Virginia Tech , prickly pear tolerates saline soil and salt spray . An strange flora at all time , prickly pear is at its most outstanding in late spring and early summer when it bursts into efflorescence . The flamboyant , lustrous chickenhearted flowers are waxy and can be 2 - 3 inch across with yellow stamens . Some have an orange or reddish core . The blossom are diurnal , only lasting a single day , but the works can bloom 4 hebdomad or more . During the calendar month - long blossom period , prickly pear is valuable to pollinators . The pollen - producing antler at the core of the bloom appeal both longsighted and inadequate tongued bee , including bumble bees , carpenter bee , digger bee , and leaf - turn off bee . Nectar nestles below the antler and , as the bee dive in to take nourishment , they brush against the antler . The antlers are thigmotactic , meaning they draw in over at the touch of a bee , depositing the pollen . O. humifusais also a host plant for several moth caterpillars and butterfly are known to claver . magnanimous berries appear after the blossom recede and ripen to a burgundy red in the fall . The edible , oblong berry grow to be 1 - 3 inches and have big semen . The pads shrivel up and turn gray in the winter but chemical substance in its cellular telephone reserve it to survive the freezing temperatures of its northerly stove . It is best to remove weeds that have acquire up and around prickly pear in former wintertime when the pads are still shriveled so there is more way to reach into the works and work around the pads . As temperature warm , the pads green up , tumefy with young growth , and the spine become more pronounced and uncomfortable to refer . Always fag out gloves when working with burred pear .
pass around Prickly Pear
If there is a drawback to prickly pear , it is that it can spread far and wide , even into areas where it is not welcome . In ley of the midway states , it is sometimes a risk for browse animals . Some gardeners control is growth by planting prickly pear in wad .
If extra plants are desired , propagation is simple . To do so , cut a division from a lodgings that is a least 6 months old and allow the division to sit down for a week or two until a callus to manikin on the excision . At this point , institute the subdivision upright about 1 inch into a mixture of sand and grease or a growing medium . Keep the cutting in a gay pip and do not water for about a month . Then , water sparingly ( about once a calendar week ) until roots take hold . Growing prickly pear from seed is potential but a slow physical process .
Eating Prickly Pear
Indigenous people of Mexico and Central America eat both the yield and pads of prickly pear and often used the sap for medicinal purposes . The launching pad of prickly Pyrus communis cactus , called nopales , can be thin and simmer , sautéed , or grilled , then added to recipes where they add a taste similar to green beans . Sautéed nopales mixed into shinny eggs is a popular looker in the southwest U.S.
wear upon glove while scraping off the spine and then cut the pads into sliver before cooking . The Berry can be eaten raw after removing the tegument , or boiled and made into juice or jam . Prickly pear juice is available online in cans or bottles and is said to be nutritious with a melon vine - like smack . accord to the Mayo Clinic , prickly pear is not a “ ace - food ” but is copious in fiber , anti - oxidant , and carotenoid . Consuming prickly pear juice can decrease line moolah level and is said to reduce the unpleasant effects of a hangover .
Prickly Pear in the Home Landscape
I latterly visualise a hillside covered with prickly pear tree cactus . It was still gray and wilted due to winter cold , but I can ideate how lovely it will be when bursting into salad days this summer . Certainly that hillside will not need to be mowed ! Try prickly pear as a pragmatic resolution in barren , dry area such as a hell strip or merely to add interest and beauty where ever it is planted .
Featured PhotoofOpuntia humifusa , courtesy of Missouri Botanical GardenPlant Finder
Sources
“ Opuntia humifusa ” , Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora
“ Eastern Prickly Pear ” , Missouri Department of Conservation
“ Eastern Prickly Pear”,U.S. Forest Service
“ Flora of the Southeastern United States ” , North Carolina Botanical Garden
“ Opuntia humifusa ” , North Carolina Extension
“ Prickly Pears bloom for pollinators”,University of Illinois propagation
“ Trees and Shrubs that Tolerate Saline Soils and Salt Spray Drift “ , Virginia Tech
