By Elaine Wilshusen, Somervell County Master Gardener
The thornless prickly pear is ubiquitous around the Glen Rose area. It was one of the first things I wanted to plant in my yard when we moved here and also the first thing I was trying to share with others as its growth surpassed my expectations! Tall “tree” style specimens provide lovely structure in the garden.
Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying it is one tough plant very well suited for Texas. You don’t have to water it, it bears flowers and fruits and it is evergreen. If a piece falls of, it will grow a new plant with zero assistance from humans. Even during the harsh North Texas winters, established specimens come back vigorously. While the thornless variety does appear in the wild, most of what we see growing is a version of a hybrid plant developed by Luther Burbank in the early 1900’s as a forage crop for cattle.
The pads and fruits of many types of thornless and “prickly” pear cactus are already eaten regularly by peoples of several regions across the world, with the largest consumers being Mexico and Sicily.
Experts in Agriculture hail the plants as a “miracle” crop due to its ability to survive harsh and dry conditions, which could help alleviate hunger in arid regions.
More Americans are beginning to appreciate the nutritional value and tastiness of the pads, which can be steamed or sautéed and the fruits, also called “tuna” made into jams, jellies, drinks, or eaten fresh. So, in addition to enjoying the cactus for beauty, why not give eating them a try?
Cactus fruit at a market in Palermo, Sicily
Eating one fresh for breakfast!