Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
ficus-indica
ID:
386429

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Mill.

Source:
Caryophyllales.org

Year:
1768

Citation Micro:
Gard. Dict.: Opuntia No. 2. 1768.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000385761

Common Names

  • Prickly Pear
  • Nopal
  • Indian Fig

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Synonyms

  • Opuntia maxima Mill. [unknown]
  • Opuntia mexicana Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Opuntia leucostata J.Forbes [invalid]
  • Opuntia lanceolata (Haw.) Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia opuntia (L.) H.Karst. [invalid]
  • Opuntia obovata Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia parvula Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia fusicaulis Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia glauca Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Opuntia glaberrima Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Opuntia elongata (Willd.) Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-barbarica A.Berger [unknown]
  • Opuntia labouretiana K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Opuntia undosa Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia umbrella Steud. [unknown]
  • Opuntia tuna-blanca Speg. [unknown]
  • Opuntia tribuloides Griffiths [unknown]
  • Opuntia arkansana Engelm. ex Hirscht [unknown]
  • Opuntia decumana (Willd.) Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia alfagayucca Karw. ex Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia amyclaea Ten. [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica amyclaea (Ten.) Schelle [unknown]
  • Platyopuntia cordobensis (Speg.) F.Ritter [unknown]
  • Platyopuntia ficus-indica (L.) F.Ritter [unknown]
  • Cactus compressus Salisb. [illegitimate]
  • Cactus decumanus Willd. [unknown]
  • Cactus elongatus Willd. [unknown]
  • Cactus ficus Thunb. [unknown]
  • Cactus ficus-indica L. [unknown]
  • Cactus lanceolatus Haw. [unknown]
  • Cactus opuntia L. [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica amyclaea (Ten.) A.Berger [unknown]
  • Opuntia apurimacensis (F.Ritter) R.Crook & Mottram [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica decumana (Willd.) Speg. [unknown]
  • Opuntia cordobensis Speg. [unknown]
  • Opuntia compressa J.F.Macbr. [unknown]
  • Platyopuntia apurimacensis F.Ritter [unknown]
  • Cactus maximus Colla [unknown]
  • Opuntia paraguayensis K.Schum. [unknown]
  • Opuntia caespitosa Raf. [unknown]
  • Opuntia crassa Haw. [unknown]
  • Opuntia gymnocarpa F.A.C.Weber [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica gymnocarpa (F.A.C.Weber) Speg. [unknown]
  • Cactus opuntia ficus-indica (L.) DC. [unknown]
  • Cactus opuntia latifolius Risso [unknown]
  • Opuntia crassa major Pfeiff. [unknown]
  • Opuntia elongata laevior Salm-Dyck [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica decumana (Willd.) Schelle [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica gymnocarpa (F.A.C.Weber) Schelle [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica reticulata Backeb. [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica elongata Schelle [unknown]
  • Opuntia ficus-indica saboten Makino [unknown]
  • Opuntia leiascheinvariana Martínez-Gonz. & Gallegos [unknown]
  • Opuntia megacantha tenuispina Salm-Dyck [unknown]

Description

Opuntia ficus-indica (also called Indian Fig Opuntia, among many other common names) is a small shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has small, yellow flowers and its leaves are oval-shaped and have a greyish-green hue. It is found in dry, desert habitats and is adapted to survive in the arid conditions of the region.

Uses & Benefits

Opuntia ficus-indica is used for its edible fruits, which are known as prickly pears. The fruits are also used to make jams, jellies, and syrups. The plant is also used as a medicinal plant and for its ornamental value.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Opuntia ficus-indica has yellow flowers with red centers and green seed pods that contain small black seeds. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with a few leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Opuntia ficus-indica is a perennial cactus that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C (14°F). It can be pruned to maintain a desired shape and size.

Where to Find Opuntia ficus-indica

Opuntia ficus-indica is native to Mexico and can be found in the states of Chihuahua, Sonora, and Durango.

Opuntia ficus-indica FAQ

What is the scientific name of Opuntia ficus-indica?

Opuntia ficus-indica

What is the common name of Opuntia ficus-indica?

Indian Fig Prickly Pear

Where is Opuntia ficus-indica native to?

North America

Species in the Opuntia genus

Opuntia megacantha, Opuntia microdasys, Opuntia laiglonii, Opuntia lucayana, Opuntia macrantha, Opuntia lutea, Opuntia lucida, Opuntia longispina, Opuntia piccolomini, Opuntia pittieri, Opuntia opuntia, Opuntia occidentalis, Opuntia peckii, Opuntia phyllacantha, Opuntia pennellii, Opuntia papyracantha, Opuntia fragilis, Opuntia flavispina, Opuntia stricta, Opuntia straminea, Opuntia stenarthra, Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia glaucophylla, Opuntia elisae, Opuntia elatior, Opuntia effulgia, Opuntia diversispina, Opuntia festiva, Opuntia inaequilateralis, Opuntia humifusa, Opuntia horstii, Opuntia kuehnrichii, Opuntia jussieui, Opuntia intermedia, Opuntia ithypetala, Opuntia irrorata, Opuntia guatemalensis, Opuntia hondurensis, Opuntia hitchenii, Opuntia hanburyana, Opuntia virens, Opuntia woodsii, Opuntia rooneyi, Opuntia urbaniana, Opuntia salmii, Opuntia salicornoides, Opuntia pubescens, Opuntia protracta, Opuntia praecox, Opuntia reptans,

Species in the Cactaceae family

Acanthocalycium glaucum, Acanthocalycium spiniflorum, Acanthocalycium thionanthum, Acanthocalycium leucanthum, Acanthocalycium rhodotrichum, Acanthocalycium klimpelianum, Acanthocereus chiapensis, Acanthocereus tetragonus, Acanthocereus guatemalensis, Acanthocereus maculatus, Acanthocereus canoensis, Acanthocereus castellae, Acanthocereus cuixmalensis, Acanthocereus fosterianus, Acanthocereus haackeanus, Acanthocereus hesperius, Acanthocereus hirschtianus, Acanthocereus macdougallii, Acanthocereus oaxacensis, Acanthocereus paradoxus, Acanthocereus rosei, Acanthocereus tepalcatepecanus, Acanthocereus atropurpureus, Acharagma aguirreanum, Acharagma roseanum, Airampoa albisaetacens, Airampoa armata, Airampoa ayrampo, Airampoa boliviensis, Airampoa cedergreniana, Airampoa chilensis, Airampoa corrugata, Airampoa erectoclada, Airampoa ianthinantha, Airampoa microdisca, Airampoa minuscula, Airampoa orurensis, Airampoa panellana, Airampoa picardoi, Airampoa silvestris, Airampoa tilcarensis, Aporepiphyllum freiburgensis, Aporocactus flagelliformis, Aporocactus martianus, Aporocactus moennighoffii, Aporocactus knebelii, Aporoheliocereus smithianus, Ariocarpus agavoides, Ariocarpus bravoanus, Ariocarpus drabi,