Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Our World-Indian Fig Cactus

Opuntia ficus indica, is called the Indian fig cactus, although it is not a native of India. You see them everywhere in the countryside now, profusely flowering in the hedges. The fruit of this cactus is edible. The cactus is very valuable to farmers in this time of drought, as it takes up very little water and makes a good guard against roaming cattle, and also makes good compost. The fruit of this cactus are used to make a liquer in Malta. The young pads are cooked and eaten as a vegetable in Mexico.
I thank the team of Our World Tuesday for hosting that wonderful meme.

15 comments:

  1. What a lovely shot!

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  2. This is very interesting for I never thought that a cactus was useful for farmers. It is also a beautiful plant. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

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  3. Jadłam owoc opuncji, jest smaczny. Pozdrawiam.
    Eat prickly pear fruit is tasty. Yours.

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  4. Beautiful!
    McGuffy's Reader
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  5. Very interesting post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  6. This reminds me of our Christmas Cactus! Lovely capture for the day! I hope your week is going well!!

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  7. Very informative entry. Thank you. I wonder how it tastes...
    Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day.

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  8. seems to be an interesting cactus. :)

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  9. Hello Lotusleaf...I haven't been here for some time. Mine are also in fruit, I just have to remember to pick them. Mine are the thornless type and it is known in the USA as Nopales cactus.

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  10. I like this cactus when it is in flower and filled with fruits. Making the plant look pretty instead of prickly hehe...

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  11. Wow! So much information on the use of cactus! The flower looks lovely!

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