Opuntia azurea
Rose
Coyotillo, Nopal coyotillo
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(c) Terry Lee Crane, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Terry Lee Crane
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(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaOpuntia azurea, the purple prickly pear or coyotillo, is a prickly pear that is native to Texas and Mexico.
Description
A cactus. The plants are treelike. It grows 1-2 m high. It has a single trunk. The stem segments are oval and greenish-blue. They are 10-15 cm long and wide. There are 1-3 unequal spines. They are 2-3 cm long. The flowers are bright yellow. The fruit are oval or round. They are red and do not have spines. They are edible.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. A light-green, juicy pulp.. The dull crimson, subglobose to ovate fruit is free of spines. The tender young stem segments of various species are often cooked as a vegetable. 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 and Opuntia matudae, although the stems of almost all Opuntia species are edible.
Medicinal Uses
We have no specific information on medicinal uses for this species, but the following notes are likely to apply universally to Opuntia species and other related genera. The flesh of tender young stem segments can be applied as a poultice to reduce inflammation. 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. There is clinical evidence that the soluble fibre in the stem segments helps reduce blood cholesterol levels.
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.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Mexico, North America,
Also Known As
Nopalillo
References (5)
- Anderson, E.F., 2001, The Cactus Family, Timber Press. p 489
- Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12:291, t. 24. 1909
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 583
- Martin, F. W., et al, 1987, Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics. USDA Handbook 642 p 88
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
