Opuntia engelmannii
Salm-Dyck ex Engelm.
Cactaceae
Opuntia bensonii Sánchez-Mej.
Opuntia caesia Griffiths
Opuntia discata Griffiths
Opuntia expansa Griffiths
Opuntia flavescens Peebles
Opuntia magnarenensis Griffiths
Opuntia megacarpa Griffiths
Opuntia microcarpa Engelm.
Opuntia neochrysacantha Bravo
Opuntia × occidentalis megacarpa (Griffiths) Munz
Opuntia phaeacantha discata (Griffiths) L.D.Benson & Walk.
Opuntia procumbens Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow
Opuntia riparia Griffiths
Opuntia tardospina Griffiths
Opuntia valida Griffiths
Opuntia cantabrigiensis Lynch
Opuntia cuija (Griffiths & Hare) Rose
Opuntia flavispina C.F.Först.
Opuntia phaeacantha flavispina L.D.Benson
Opuntia laevis J.M.Coult.
Opuntia phaeacantha laevis (J.M.Coult.) L.D.Benson
Opuntia convexa Mackensen
Opuntia deltica Griffiths
Opuntia ferruginispina Griffiths
Opuntia gilvoalba Griffiths
Opuntia gomei Griffiths
Opuntia griffithsiana Mackensen
Opuntia haematocarpa A.Berger
Opuntia laxiflora Griffiths
Opuntia lindheimeri Engelm.
Opuntia linguiformis Griffiths
Opuntia pyrocarpa Griffiths
Opuntia reflexa Mackensen
Opuntia sinclairii Griffiths
Opuntia squarrosa Griffiths
Opuntia subarmata Griffiths
Opuntia texana Griffiths
Opuntia tricolor Griffiths
Opuntia winteriana A.Berger
Common Name: Cactus Apple
General Information
Opuntia engelmannii is a spiny, succulent, evergreen shrubby or tree-like cactus with a short trunk and a dense mass of spreading stems; it can grow 100 - 350cm tall[
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
,
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
Opuntia engelmannii has a very wide range, is abundant, and no major threats are known. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The plant spreads mainly by vegetative reproduction and can become a weed of agriculture when the land is ploughed, forming virtually impenetrable masses of growth, outcompeting the introduced grasses and, often, other native plants[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
].
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[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
,
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
].
Botanical References
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
,
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
Southwest N. America - California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, to central and southern Mexico
Habitat
Xerophyllous scrub, grasslands, pine-juniper and oak forest; at elevations from 150 - 1,800 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
Weed Potential | Yes |
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
Height | 2.50 m |
Pollinators | Bees, Insects |
Cultivation Status | 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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked, Of good quality, the flesh is succulent, sweet and juicy[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
,
1990- Title
- Cacti Biology and Uses
- Publication
-
- Author
- Nobel, Park S. (Editor)
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Berkeley, California
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-520-23157-0
- Description
- A lot of information about the uses and cultivation of Cacti native to central Mexico
,
1991- Title
- Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: A flora in southwestern Arizona. Part 7. Eudicots: Cactaceae - Cactus Family
- Publication
- Phytoneuron 2014-69: 1-95
- Author
- Felger R.S. et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 2153 733X
- Description
-
]. It makes an excellent juice and is often used to make a jelly[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
,
1991- Title
- Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: A flora in southwestern Arizona. Part 7. Eudicots: Cactaceae - Cactus Family
- Publication
- Phytoneuron 2014-69: 1-95
- Author
- Felger R.S. et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 2153 733X
- Description
-
]. The dark red to purple, ovate-elongate to barrel-shaped fruit is 35 - 90mm long and 20 - 40mm in diameter[
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].
During their season the fruits (tunas) of various Opuntia species are the principal food of the people in certain parts of Mexico, and enormous quantities of them are consumed. Usually they are eaten raw, but they are also cooked in various ways, and sweetmeats are made from them.
The dried fruit can be pressed into large cakes (Queso de tuna ) and is widely sold in local markets. Miel de tuna is a syrup prepared from the fruit. Melcocha is a thick paste made by boiling down the juice. Colonche is the boiled and fermented juice. Nochote or nochocle is a fermented beverage prepared from tuna juice, together with pulque, and water. Tejuino also is a beverage prepared from the juice of the fruit[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Stem segments - cooked. Fried[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
]. The stem segments of Opuntia species are known as ‘nopals’ in Mexico where they are a common ingredient in numerous dishes. They can be eaten raw or cooked, used in marmalades, soups, stews and salads. The most commonly used species are Opuntia ficus-indica or Opuntia matudae although the stems of almost all Opuntia species are edible.
Flowers[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
]. This report probably refers to the flower buds[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Opuntia flower buds are a rich source of calcium and soluble fibre, as well as containing significant protein[
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
]
Seeds. Dried and ground into a powder[
1438- Title
- Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
]. The seeds of Opuntia species can be ground into a powder and used as a gruel or to prepare a kind of atole[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Atole is a thick drink that is made with cornmeal (with or without other ground seeds), water, raw sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla and is served warm.
Medicinal
Heated stem segments are applied to a new mother's breasts in order to stimulate the flow of milk[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
We have no further specific information on medicinal uses for this species, but the following notes are likely to apply universally to Opuntia species and other related genera[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The flesh of tender young stem segments can be applied as a poultice to reduce inflammation[
411- Title
- Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The mucilage and soluble fibre found in the flowers and stem segments have been shown to help control blood-sugar levels associated with adult-onset diabetes[
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
].
There is clinical evidence that the soluble fibre in the stem segments helps reduce blood cholesterol levels[
1999- Title
- A natural history of the Sonoran Desert
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips S.J. & Comus P.W.
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Los Angeles, California
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-520-22029-3
- Description
-
].
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 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.