Dillen prickly pear (Opuntia dillenii)

Family: Cactaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Opuntia dillenii is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Leaves, Shoots, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Edible Portion: Fruit, Flowers, Pads. Fruits are insipid but very juicy, and are eaten raw or made into syrup, jam or jelly. The fruit are peeled then eaten fresh, preserved or made into wine. — Edible Portion: Fruit, Flowers, Pads.; Fruits are insipid but very juicy, and are eaten raw or made into syrup, jam or jelly.; The fruit are peeled then eaten fresh, preserved or made into wine.; Young joints are cut into pieces and boiled, or dried in the sun for future use .

Habitat & North American Range

A weed of semi-arid, sub-tropical, tropical and warmer temperate regions. It may inhabit open woodlands, rangelands, grasslands, pastures, creekbanks, roadsides, railways lines, coastal environs, gardens, disturbed sites and waste areas. (Zone 10)