Indian Fig Opuntia, Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica)

Pictures

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  Appearance

  The Indian Fig Cactus has been widely established throughout the Mediterranean region for a long time. Its fruit is extremely tasty, but unfortunately also very prickly.

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  Leaves

  No leaves in the common sense of the word. The plant is made up of flat shoots, from which new shoots sprout. The plant is covered with prickly spines.

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  Flowers

  Flowering period: V to VI. Exceedingly attractive yellow tubular fruit, approx. 5 cm long.

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  Fruits

  5 cm large fruit with red or yellow, sweet, juicy pulp. The fruits have numerous small prickly spines and should not be handled without gloves. The prickly skin is peeled off like a stocking before eating the fruit.

Application

Open country, open fields, parks, container plants, kitchen gardens

Native regions

Mexico

Location parameters

Light: full sun to slightly sunny; soil: slightly dry to fresh; soil structure: normal to loose; soil depth: shallow to very deep; humus concentration: low to medium; pH value: moderately acid to alkaline; nutrient concentration: low to normal; soil: slightly dry to fresh.

Demands

Does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Hardiness

down to -5 C°

Growth

Height of growth: 3 to 5 m. Subshrub with upright habit.

Leaves

No leaves in the common sense of the word. The plant is made up of flat shoots, from which new shoots sprout. The plant is covered with prickly spines.

Flowers

Flowering period: V to VI. Exceedingly attractive yellow tubular fruit, approx. 5 cm long.

Fruits

5 cm large fruit with red or yellow, sweet, juicy pulp. The fruits have numerous small prickly spines and should not be handled without gloves. The prickly skin is peeled off like a stocking before eating the fruit.

Bark

No bark in the usual sense of the word. Leathery outer skin.