2358 



OPUNTIA 



OPUNTIA 



become naturalized. The fruits are usually larger and 

 fewer-seeded than in 0. Tuna, and are commonly 

 yellow. They frequently measure 3 to 4 inches in 

 length and 2 to 3 inches in width. Forms of this species 

 about the old missions of southern California vary 

 considerably. One form, known as Tuna Colorado, has 

 an insipid, light crimson-colored fruit, while another, 

 Tuna manse, has a yellowish fruit, irregularly mottled 

 with crimson. 



General cultivation. (D. M. Andrews.) 



Hardy opuntias satisfy a rather general desire for 

 something unique or grotesque, while at the same time 

 they possess enough ornamental value to recommend 

 them to everyone, and especially to those lovers of cac- 

 taceous and succulent plants whose space indoors is 

 limited. Being natives of the western plains and foot- 

 hills of the mountains, they can scarcely suffer from 

 long-continued drought, and the sunny side of the 

 rockery will suit them exactly, as it will allow all sur- 

 plus moisture to drain off, and no artificial watering 

 will be necessary. William Falconer, who has used 

 large quantities at Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Penn- 

 sylvania, writes as follows: "In certain localities, as on 



2597. Opuntia basil- 

 aris. 



bleak, exposed banks and about rocky knolls, opuntias 

 and Yucca angustifolia can be used unsparingly with 

 perfect success." He also says, "All have been planted 

 out-of-doors, remaining unprotected summer and 

 winter, and all have been perfectly hardy." They have 

 succeeded also at Kew Gardens, in the very humid 

 climate of England, without protection. Then* require- 

 ments seem to be as follows: a porous, well-drained soil, 

 a sunny exposure, and a season long enough in which to 

 ripen the fruit and annual growth; these conditions 

 being complied with, they will endure almost any 

 degrees of cold to be experienced even in the most 

 northern portions of the United States. Their altitude- 

 limit in Colorado indicates that they will succeed as 

 far north as Indian corn can be matured. The follow- 

 ing kinds have been used successfully, as above indi- 

 cated: O. arenaria, with small, round to oblong, very 

 spiny joints, the spines varying much in color from gray 

 and straw-color to purplish brown; 0. arborescens, the 

 tree or candelabrum cactus, the tallest of this list, is of 

 cylindrical branching growth, with bright purple 

 flowers and yellow fruit; O. Camanchica has very large, 

 orbicular joints, the upper half thickly beset with 

 spines, fruit purple; O.fragilis resembles O. arenaria, but 

 is smaller; 0. humifusa includes a multitude of forms, 

 all of which are very hardy; 0. phseacantha var. major is 

 one of the most striking sorts, with immense, glaucous 

 joints, dark purple spines, yellow flowers, and purple 

 fruit; 0. polyacantha is one of the most variable, as well 



as one of the most showy. The spines vary from ivory- 

 white to purple and brown, and from short and stout to 

 long and slender. Nearly all the opuntias have very 

 showy flowers, usually in various shades of yellow and 

 orange. 



Economic value and cultivation. 



Two opuntias, 0, Ficus-indica and O. Tuna, and 

 possibly a few other closely allied ones, are extensively 

 grown in Mexico. The fruit begins to ripen in June and 

 July, while the later varieties last until December. The 

 fruit is consumed by all classes and conditions of people. 

 The fine bristles which invest the fruit are usually 

 removed before picking by rubbing them with straw, 

 grass or leaves. The fruit is later picked by the hand, 

 or, in some instances, with wooden tongs. In large 

 plantations, when the fruit is raised for commercial 

 purposes, it is usually harvested with a heavy knife, 

 the workman first cutting off the joint bearing the 

 fruit, and later detaching the separate fruits. 



In preparing the fruit for the table, a thin slice is cut 

 from each end and a slit made through the paring, join- 

 ing the cut surfaces. The thin paring is easily sepa- 

 rated from the mealy but juicy pulp, and quickly 

 removed with the fingers. 



Today the finest opuntia fruits are grown in Sicily, 

 where they are one of the most important crops that the 

 island produces. From July to November the peasants 

 live almost entirely on this fruit, and considerable 

 quantities are yearly exported to other countries, some 

 of which finds its way to New York and other American 

 cities. It is grown extensively by the Arabs throughout 

 northern Africa, and forms an important part of their 

 food for a portion of each year. 



The nutritive value of this fruit ranks high, as shown 

 by the following analysis by Wolff: 



Per cent 



Dry substance 21.60 



Ligneous matter 3.70 



Proteid substances 59 



Fatty bodies 1.80 



Sugar 14.00 



It has been ascertained that some of the best varie- 

 ties are capable of producing on lean, sandy or rocky 

 soil, ill-suited for growing ordinary crops, as much as 

 18,000 pounds of fruit to the acre. When it is consid- 

 ered that this is equal to 2,500 pounds of sugar, as well 

 as other valuable food constituents, it may be readily 

 seen that the food value from the standpoint of nutri- 

 tion is considerable. 



Plantations are usually made on dry slopes of hills, 

 as the plants do not thrive where there is much moisture 

 or on heavy clay soils. Joints, cut or broken from the 

 plants, are used instead of seeds, and are planted at 

 distances of 6 to 8 feet in furrows from 6 to 15 feet 

 apart. No tillage is practised, as they grow rapidly, 

 and in a few years shade and smother out all other 

 growth. Before planting, the cuttings are exposed in 

 half sunlight from seven to fifteen days, that they may 

 partially wither, in order to facilitate rooting. 



An important advantage in the culture of these plants 

 is the regularity of the yearly crop. They begin to bear 

 in about three years after planting, and continue in 

 bearing for many years. 



Of the opuntias indigenous to the United States, none 

 as yet has been grown for fruit, or with an effort to 

 improve them. O. Engelmannii has a large but poorly 

 flavored fruit, rarely eaten, even by the Indians. 0. 

 Isevis has one of the largest and most palatable fruits of 

 any of the species found growing wild within the United 

 States. This plant also has the advantage of having 

 but few spines. O. Camanchica, O. humifusa, O. chlo- 

 rotica, 0. phseacantha and 0. macrocentra have medium- 

 sized fruits, insipid and unpalatable to the cultivated 

 taste, but eaten by Indians and Mexicans. 



Wherever grown extensively, the opuntia fruits are 

 used for making a weak alcoholic drink. The juices of 



