The prickly pear cactus plant is also known as cactus pear and Indian fig.

DESERT PLANTS HOME PAGE

The prickly pear cactus plant is also known as cactus pear and Indian fig. The cactus plant is valued as a source of food, as a medicine and other unique applications. This is one of the few cacti plants that are cultivated for its food value.

There are over 100 species of the prickly pear cactus in Mexico. All of these cacti bear edible fruits though the taste differs from acidic to sweet.

The more mature the fruit is, the more acidic the taste and the texture become more fibrous. The fruits of prickly pear cactus plant is a sought after delicacy especially in Mexican countries.

Habitat

The Indian fig cactus can be found in Mexico, South America, Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean and the United State. In Sicily and Mexico, it is considered as an agriculture crop. The part of the prickly pear plant that is harvested is the pads.

The pads are flat stems. These grow from 4 to 16 inches long, 9 inches wide and are less than an inch thick. Shape varies from oblong to elliptical. The color of the pads ranges from grayish blue to green. Prickly pear cactus plants have long spines, but cultivated varieties have none.

Uses Of The cactus Pear Plant

When it comes to culinary applications, the cacti covers the entire range from appetizer to deserts. It even can be made into candy. The pads are used like a vegetable and the fruit can be made into jams and jellies. The seeds can be dried and ground into flour or added to soup.

The cactus plant is a very useful hedge plant. It can grow up to make a formidable wall that has spines protruding outward, making it nearly impossible for small predators to go through. It is also planted for erosion control.

The sap of the Indian fig plant has similar healing properties as the Aloe Vera plant to soothe burns. To use, cut of a portion of the pad and squeeze out the sap to apply on the afflicted area.

This sap is also an effective mosquito repellant as when place in larvae infested water, it kills the larvae. The sap can also be made into candles. In the olden days, sap was added to mortar to give more durability to building material. Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine: Treatments for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and the Immune System

The fibers of the cactus can be weaved to make mats and baskets. These fibers can be also used for paper making. The spines were used to sew with and were also made into decorative jewelry.

Preparation Of Pads

The pads are at their best succulent sweetness while they are still small and have only a few spines. Pick pads that are feel heavy for their size and firm to the touch.

Hold the base of the pad and scrape of the spines with the back of a knife. Peel the pads and slice into small strips or dice.

The Prickly Pear Makes A Great Houseplant