Opuntia humifusa

Opuntia humifusa, commonly known as the devil's-tongue,[1] Eastern prickly pear or Indian fig, is a cactus of the genus Opuntia present in parts of eastern North America.

Eastern prickly pear
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Species:
O. humifusa
Binomial name
Opuntia humifusa
(Raf.) Raf.
Opuntia humifusa in fruit by the beach at Welwyn Preserve, Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, October 2014

Description

As is the case in other Opuntia species, the green stems of this low-growing perennial cactus are flattened, and are formed of segments. Barbed bristles are found around the surfaces of the segments, and longer spines are sometimes present.[2] The flowers are yellow to gold in color, and are found along the margins of mature segments. The flowers are waxy and sometimes have red centers. They measure 4–6 cm (1 5⁄8–2 3⁄8 in) across. This cactus blooms in the late spring.

The juicy red or purple fruits measure from 3–5 cm (1 1⁄8–2 in). As the fruit matures, it changes colour from green to red, and often remains on the cactus until the following spring. There are 6 to 33 small, flat, light-colored seeds in each fruit.

Taxonomy

Some botanists treat this cactus as a variety of Opuntia compressa: hence Opuntia compressa var. humifusa, or a synonym of Opuntia compressa. Those recognizing this species treat Opuntia rafinesquii as a junior synonym.

Distribution

This species naturally occurs from arid areas of Montana southward to New Mexico, and eastward to the lower Great Lakes, and along the East Coast from the Florida Keys to coastal Connecticut.[3] Its distribution in Canada is limited to the Carolinian forest in southern Ontario, specifically in Point Pelee National Park.[4]

The Eastern prickly pear is one of the native cactus species in Canada and is considered endangered, with only two small populations known to be persisting today.[4] Their population range in southern Ontario has diminished over time due to succession by larger woody vegetation which shade out the cacti.[4]

Habitat

This plant is very intolerant of shade and instead thrives in sunny, hot and dry environments with well-draining, sandy soil.[4] Opuntia humifusa will grow in open areas in sandy, rocky and coastal scrub habits. They are capable of surviving cool winters unlike many cacti, although harsh winter storms are known to cause habitat loss.[4]

Uses

The fruits are edible,[5] but have small spiny bristles. The pulp can be scooped and the seeds strained out to make syrup or jelly. The seeds can be briefly roasted and ground into meal.[6] Young cactus segments can be roasted to remove spines, then peeled and sliced to be eaten like string beans; alternatively, they can be deep fried. The leafy segments can be peeled and chewed for emergency hydration.[6]

  • Fruit in South Carolina
  • Growing wild in coastal habitat, Milford Connecticut
  • Growing wild in northern Illinois (partial shade)
  • Close-up of yellow barbed bristles and longer spines
  • Seedling; notice the larger spines
  • Flowers

References
  1. "Opuntia humifusa". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. "4. Opuntia humifusa", Flora of North America
  3. Eastern Prickly Pear Opuntia humifusa (PDF) (Report). Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2018.
  4. "Species Profile (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus) - Species at Risk Public Registry". wildlife-species.canada.ca. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  5. Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 436. ISBN 0-394-50432-1.
  6. Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. p. 139. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414.
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