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A more scientific name to the prickly pear is the Opuntia. This name came from the Greek town of Opus, named for the ancient tribe Locri Opuntii. The Opuntia is notorious for its sting. There are a lot of glochids growing from each areole and when you get pricked, the sting stays. It also has very colorful flowers to attract pollinators. They are in the shape of bunny-ears and it keeps on growing from areoles, linking on. Not only can they defeat the extreme heat, they can also defeat the cold of Patagonia. Usage: 1. Its fruit, well know in Mexico, is called tuna. The berry has a thick skin, and has juicy, red pulp inside, with small hard seeds. And it is as big as an egg. It has a delicate flavour and centuries ago people started using it to make bright-colored jams and jellies and also made into a simple sugar candy which tourists love.
2. It is used for protection in the whole Mediterranean and Mexico. People have planted miles of Opuntia fences, so those prickles work as barbed wires.
Did you know? There are recipes for Prickly Pear tarts, sorbets and even iced cocktails!!! Did you know? 'Sabra'---the Hebrew name, was used to call people born in Israel---'tough on the outside, sweet under the skin' |
The
prickly pear(Opuntia)
[Fruit
of the Opuntia]