Opuntiads of the USA

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Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.

Opuntia ficus-indica is a dometic species of Opuntia. It is thought to have developed in Mexico (or perhaps Central America) where the new cladodes are consumed as a vegetable and the sweet fruits are relished. O. ficus-indica may be the most widespread Opuntia in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. The plant has naturalized (either vegetatively or by seed) in many areas that are frost-free (or nearly frost free). See the article, The origins of an important cactus crop, Opuntia ficus-indica, by M. Patrick Griffith.

Plants may reach 20 ft. tall and form a true tree shape.

Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes	Close-up of plant at left	Opuntia ficus-indica, close-up of plant at far left, showing a few spines on 2-year-old cladode
Opuntia ficus-indica flower buds	Close-up of flower bud in image at far left	Close-up of flower bud in image at far left
Opuntia ficus-indica, garden plant near Columbux, TX	Close-up of plant at left	Flower buds on plant at far left
Opuntia ficus-indica grown as pot plant	Opuntia ficus-indica flower (photo contributed by Craig Howe)	Opuntia ficus-indica in container at nursery
Opuntia ficus-indica (large plant on left) on street corner in Las Cruces, NM	Close-up of plant at immediate left	Close-up of plant at far left showing immature fruit
Opuntia ficus-indica