Common Name:

General Information

Cylindropuntia tunicata is a spiny, evergreen, succulent, densely-branched shrubby cactus growing around 30 - 60cm tall[].
The plant is possibly harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is widely grown as a living fence in Mexico, serving as a boundary market and an impenetrable barrier for grazing animals[]. It is also used as a living fence in countries outside its native range, such as Ecuador[].
Cylindropuntia tunicata is widely distributed, abundant, occurs in numerous protected areas, and is not declining at a rate sufficient to qualify for a threat category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].
Cylindropuntia tunicata has barbed spines that easily attach themselves to passing objects. In addition, young sections of the plant are easily detatched from the plant. Thus parts of the plant are easily transported by passing animals etc and, when they fall onto the ground will often form roots and develop into a new plant The plant has become an invasive weed in several countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile[].

Known Hazards

The plant has numerous minutely barbed glochids - these are barbed spines that are usually small to minute and are very sharp and brittle. The glochids are very easily dislodged when the plant is touched and can penetrate the skin where, because of their barbs, they become stuck and are very difficult to see and remove. They can cause considerable irritation and discomfort[, ].
Opuntia species can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, especially in older parts of the plant. Perfectly alright in small quantities, foods containing oxalic acid should not be eaten in large amounts since it can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern N. America - southwest Texas, south to central Mexico

Habitat

Xerophyllous shrubland, Chihuahuan Desert, sandy to gravelly substrates, usually calcareous slopes or alluvium; at elevations from 100 - 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

In cultivation, Cactus plants generally will not succeed in moist climates. They usually require a sunny position in a well-drained, circumneutral soil and to be kept more or less dry in the dormant season[].
This species is spread widely by attaching to livestock fur and thus the original range is difficult to define[].
The outer wall of the fruit is actually formed from stem material and, in many species of Cylindropuntia, once detached from the plant will form roots and grow into a new plant. This is often the main way in which a plant will reproduce

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The stem and root juice to treat constipation and to help expectant mothers[].
This species is not found in Hawaii[]. The original report (unseen by me), in the 1922 book Hawaiian Herbs of Medicinal Value by D. M. Kaaiakamanu & J. K. Akina, published by Board of Health of the Territory of Hawaii cited Opuntia tuna, a taxon with a very confused history. This was interpreted as being either a synonym or misspelling of Opuntia tunicata by Daniel Moerman in Native Americam Ethnobotany[]. It is much more likely that the report refers to Opuntia ficus-indica, to which Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill. Has in the past been referred to as a sysonym[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is commonly grown as a living fence in Mexico, where it serves to mark out boundaries and act as a barrier[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a very well-drained compost in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from winter wet. Make sure you have some reserve plants in case those outdoors do not overwinter.
Cuttings of leaf pads or fruits at any time in the growing season. Remove a pad from the plant and then leave it in a dry sunny place for a couple of days to ensure that the base is thoroughly dry and has begun to callous. Pot up into a sandy compost. Very easy, rooting quickly.