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Opuntia

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Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family Cactaceae also known as nopal.

Opuntia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Cactaceae
Subfamily:
Opuntioideae
Tribe:
Opuntieae
Genus:
Opuntia

Species

Some 250, see also Example species.

Synonyms

See text

Both prickly pears and chollas are included in this genus of about 250 species distributed throughout most of the Americas.

The most commonly culinary species of is the Fig Opuntia, Opuntia ficus-indica (most culinary uses of the term 'prickly pear' refer to this Opuntia species).

Description

Prickly pear cacti, classified in the subgenus Opuntia, typically grow with flat, rounded segments that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike spines called glochids that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pear grow into dense, tangled structures. Prickly pears species are found in abundance in the West and Southwest of the United States and throughout much of Mexico. Prickly pears are also the only types of cactus natively found to grow in the eastern United States. Opuntia are the most cold-tolerant of the cacti, extending into northern Canada; one species, Opuntia fragilis var. fragilis, has been found growing along the Beatton River in the province of Alberta, southwest of Cecile Lake at 56° 17’ N latitude and 120° 39’ W longitude.[1]

The fruit of prickly pears, called "tuna", is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. It is often used to make candies and jelly and a refreshing drink. The fruit is a favourite in Sicilian cuisine, where it is called "ficurinnia" which is literally translated as "Indian fig". The young stem segments, called nopales, are also edible in all species of Opuntia. The gel-like liquid of a prickly pear cactus can be used like a conditioner.[citation needed]

Chollas, classified in the subgenus Cylindropuntia, are distinguished by having cylindrical, rather than flattened, stem segments with the large barbed spines. Some botanists treat Cylindropuntia as a distinct genus. The stem joints of several species, notably the jumping cholla (Opuntia fulgida), are very brittle on young stems, readily breaking off when the barbed spines stick to clothing or animal skin as a method of seed distribution. The barbed spines can remain embedded in the skin, causing significant discomfort and sometimes injury.

Charles Darwin was the first to note that these cacti have thigmotactic anthers. This means that as its anthers are touched they curl over, depositing their pollen. This movement can be seen by gently poking the anthers of an open Opuntia flower. The same trait occurs in Lophophora.

Ethnomedical uses

 
Prickly pear fruit for sale at a Mexican market, Zacatecas, Mexico

Diabetes

The stem of Opuntia spp. can be used to treat type II diabetes, diarrhea, and stomach ache. However, usefulness of Opuntia (also known as Nopal or Nopalitos in Spanish) in treating diabetes is not at all clear at this time. Although some researchers have shown a glucose lowering effect of Opuntia streptacantha,[2] another study of three other species of Opuntia (Opuntia lasiacantha, O. velutina, and O. macrocentra) showed no such effect.[3] Another study of Opuntia megacantha raised concern about toxic effects on the kidney.[4] It may be that certain species are effective and useful in diabetes while others are not but this needs to be clarified with further research before recommending its use. Furthermore, when buying nopal in the market, it is impossible to know which species one is buying and therefore whether or not it is useful in treating diabetes.

Alcohol hangover

Opuntia ficus indica may have a reducing effect on alcohol hangover by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators. Studies have yielded differing results, with some studies witnessing significant reductions in nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite as well as the risk of a severe hangover[5] while others witnessing no compelling evidence suggesting effects on alcohol hangover.[6]

Prickly pears in Europe

 
Opuntia littoralis on the Côte d'Azur, France.

Opuntia littoralis has been introduced to Europe and flourishes in areas with a suitable climate, such as the south of France, southern Italy, Sicily and the Struma River in Bulgaria where they are referred to as "fico d'India", Southern Portugal and Madeira Islands where they are called "tabaibo" or "indian figs", and eastern and southern Spain where they are referred to as "chumbo" or "higo chumbo".

The prickly pear also grows widely on the island of Malta where it is enjoyed by the Maltese as a typical summer fruit as well as being used to make the popular liqueur known as Bajtra. The prickly pear is so commonly found in the Maltese islands that it is often used as a dividing wall between many of Malta's characteristic terraced fields in place of the usual rubble walls.

Prickly pears in Australia

Prickly pears (mostly Opuntia stricta) were imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. They quickly became a widespread weed, rendering 40,000 km² of farming land unproductive. The Cactoblastis moth, a South American moth whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the infestation. This case is often cited as a textbook example of successful biological pest control. The same moth, introduced accidentally further north of its native range into southern North America, is causing serious damage to some native species in that area.

Prickly pears in Saint Helena

Tungi is the local St. Helenian name for the prickly or cactus pears. The plants (Opuntia ficus-indica) were originally brought to the island by the colonial ivory traders from East Africa in the 1850s. Tungi cactus now grows wild and organically in the dry coastal regions of the island.

Three principal varieties of tungi grow on the island: the "English" (or yellow) fruit; the "Maderia" (or large red) fruit; and the small "Spiny Red". Tungi is locally distilled to produce Tungi Spirit.

Opuntia as a host for Dactylopius coccus

Main article: Cochineal

Dactylopius coccus is a scale insect, from which the cochineal dye is derived. D. coccus itself is native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico. This type of insect, a primarily sessile parasite, lives on cacti from the genus Opuntia, feeding on moisture and nutrients in the cacti. The insect produces carminic acid which deters predation by other insects. Carminic acid can be extracted from the insect's body and eggs to make a red dye. Cochineal is primarily used as a red food colouring and for cosmetics. The cochineal dye was used by the Aztec and Maya peoples of Central and North America. Produced almost exclusively in Oaxaca, Mexico by indigenous producers, cochineal became Mexico's second most valued export after silver.[7] The dyestuff was consumed throughout Europe and was so highly prized that its price was regularly quoted on the London and Amsterdam Commodity Exchanges. Current health concerns over artificial food additives have renewed the popularity of cochineal dyes, and the increased demand has made cultivation of the insect profitable again.[8]

In culture

 
The Coat of arms of Mexico.
Main article: Coat of arms of Mexico

The coat of arms of Mexico depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon an Opuntia cactus, devouring a snake. According to the official story of México, the coat of arms of Mexico was inspired by an Aztec legend regarding the founding of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs, then a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a divine sign that would indicate the precise spot upon which they were to build their capital. Their god Huitzilopochtli had commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, perched atop a cactus that grew on a rock submerged in a lake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in the swampy Lake Texcoco. It was there they founded their new capital, Tenochtitlan. The cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica), full of its fruits, called "tenochtli" in Nahuatl, represent the island of Tenochtitlan.

The stems of Opuntia, called nopales, are commonly used in Mexican cuisine in dishes such as huevos con nopales (eggs with nopal), or "tacos de nopales". Nopales are also an important ingredient in New Mexican cuisine.

In Israel, the prickly pear is called tzabar (Hebrew: צבר) and it is the origin of the slang term Sabra, meaning a native-born Israeli Jew.[9]

Example species

 
Flower of type species Opuntia ficus-indica; note the two types of spines
 
High resolution image of prickly pear fruit. Note the fine spines that readily dislodge.
 
Opuntia brasiliensis
 
Opuntia subulata, native to South America
 
Opuntia polycantha in bloom. These are found in the Great Plains, Great Basin, Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains.

Synonymy

The following genera are included in the genus Opuntia:

References

  1. ^ Cota-Sanchez, H. (2002). "Cacti of Canada". Taxonomy, distribution, rarity status and uses of Canadian Cacti. Haseltonia 9: 17-25. W.P. Frasier Herbarium, Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  2. ^ Frati-Munari, A.C. (1983). "Effects of nopal (Opuntia sp.) on serum lipids, glycemia and body weight". Archivos de investigacion medica (Mexico). 14 (2): 117–125. PMID 6314922. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Rayburn, Keith M.D. (1998). "Glycemic Effects of Various Species of Nopal (Opuntia Sp.) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus". Texas Journal of Rural Health. 16 (1). Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Bwititi, P. (2000). "Effects of Opuntia megacantha on blood glucose and kidney function in streptozotocin diabetic rats". Journal of ethnopharmacology. 69 (3). Elsevier, Shannon, Ireland: 247-252 (13 ref.). ISSN 0378-8741 PMID 10722207. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Wiese, Jeff M.D. (2004-06-28). "Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on Symptoms of the Alcohol Hangover". Archives of Internal Medicine. 16 (12). American Medical Association: 1334–1340. PMID 15226168. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ Pittler, Max H. (2005-12-24). "Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials". British Medical Journal. 331. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd: 1515–1518. doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1515. PMID 16373736. Retrieved 2006-12-09. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. ^ Jeff Behan. "The bug that changed history". Retrieved June 26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Liberato Portillo M. & Ana Lilia Vigueras G. "Natural Enemies of Cochineal (Dactylopius coccus Costa): Importance in Mexico" (PDF). Retrieved July 14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "sabra, a native-born Israeli", Over here and over there — The Economist newspaper article, 16 November 2006.
 
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