Origin and geographical distribution of Opuntia dillenii
Opuntia dillenii It is a succulent plant native to Central America and the Caribbean, although it has now spread naturally or been introduced to various warm regions of the world. It is found growing wild in Cuba, Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti y Dominican Republic, and its ability to adapt has allowed it to expand into areas of North America, South America, Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and even regions of Africa, the Indian Ocean and other tropical islands. Its presence in different latitudes demonstrates its remarkable colonizing capacity and tolerance to different environmental conditions.
Due to its invasive potential, Opuntia dillenii is recognized in certain countries, such as Spain, within the Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species, regulating its control, possession, transport, and marketing to prevent damage to native ecosystems.
Morphological and physiological characteristics
Opuntia dillenii is a cactus with a bushy or semi-erect appearance. which can develop from small cushions to reach heights of between 2 and 3 meters when it is fully branched. The base of the plant is woody, and the stems transform into the typical cladodes or "palas", fleshy and of a color glaucous green or blue-green, with variable dimensions that can range from 20-40 cm long by 10-15 cm wideThese flat, thick segments carry out photosynthesis and often have wavy margins.
The areolas They are prominent, with grey woolly hairs and small bundles of yellow or straw-coloured glochids. From each areola, between 1 and 5 spines (sometimes more, or even none), thick, rigid, straight or curved, up to 5-6 cm in length, generally yellow with brown bands, very sharp and variable in quantity and shape depending on the specimen and the growing conditions.
The true leaves are tiny, barely 3-6 mm, curved and deciduous, which is common in cacti. These leaves fall very early and are only visible on young or growing cladodes.
Flowers, fruits and seeds
The flowers of Opuntia dillenii are another of its great attractions.. They have between 7 and 8 cm in diameter and have colors that fluctuate from pale yellow to lemon yellow/orange or even reddish, depending on the state and variety. Composed of 4 sepals and 12 petals obovate, the flowers usually have numerous stamens with greenish-white filaments and white styles, ending in between 5 and 8 stigmatic lobes.
La flowering It usually occurs mainly in spring and summer, and can last for weeks. The resulting fruits, known locally as red figs, Indian prickly pears o sea ​​figs, are juicy and edible berries, pyriform to subglobose in shape, without large spines but covered with small glochids. Their color varies between deep yellow and purple, reaching the 5 to 7,5 cm in lengthThe pulp, dark carmine red or purple in color, is very juicy and contains numerous seeds of about 4mm diameter, rounded and protected by a wrapper.
Habitat, ecology and adaptation
Native to arid or semi-arid environments, Opuntia dillenii is found in a wide variety of habitats such as rocky slopes, grasslands, abandoned farmland, roadsides, and degraded coastal areas. It prefers sandy, poor, slightly acidic soils (pH close to 5), but it is able to thrive in less favorable soils thanks to its high drought tolerance and efficient root system.
This species prefers warm and dry areas, with modest annual rainfall (around 150 to 250 mm), although it can adapt to somewhat more humid environments if the average temperature remains between 10 and 20 ° CIt does not tolerate persistent frost and is limited to regions with sub-zero temperatures. In the Canary Islands and other Mediterranean regions, it has become fully naturalized, occupying habitats such as the cardonal-tabaibal, especially in low-lying areas (between 0 and 300 meters above sea level).
Opuntia dillenii is extremely drought resistant and can survive long periods without water, making it an ideal species for xeriscaping or low-maintenance areas. It can be invasive in disturbed habitats, displacing local species.
Reproduction and dispersal
The reproduction of Opuntia dillenii is both sexual as well as asexual:
- By seeds: Dispersed mainly by animals such as lizards (Gallotia galloti) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which consume the fruits and transport the seeds to new areas.
- By cuttings or shovels: Any cladode fragment that falls to the ground is capable of taking root and giving rise to a new plant, facilitating its rapid spread and invasive capacity.
Traditional, food and medicinal uses
The red fig or Indian prickly pear It is highly valued for its edible uses and health properties. The refreshing and nutritious fruits are eaten fresh or processed into jams, juices and liqueursThey are an important source of dietary fiber (up to 21%), vitamin C, magnesium and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, betalains, and carotenoids. The mucilage and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid content enhance its health benefits.
Traditionally, the consumption of the fruit and other parts of the plant are associated with benefits such as regulation of blood sugar, cholesterol control, improvement of digestive discomfort and as bronchodilator. Extracts of Opuntia dillenii have shown properties analgesic, anti-inflammatory, liver and nerve protectors, and even certain anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo, focused on the action of quercetin and other bioactive compounds.
Traditional use extends to the use of the plant as hedge for fencing farms, although its aggressive thorns do not make it ideal for ornamental use in family gardens.
Modern scientific research continues to expand the catalogue of potential benefits: Protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, reduction of inflammation, improvement of the gastric mucosa, as well as applications against anemia, osteoporosis and cellular aging.
Taxonomy, etymology and common names
Opuntia dillenii belongs to the family Cactaceae, of the order Caryophyllales. The name Opuntia comes from the Greek, used by Pliny the Elder for a plant near the city of Opus, while Dillenii honors the German botanist Johann Jacob Dillen.
Among its best-known names are:
- Spanish: Indian prickly pear, red fig, wild prickly pear, sea fig, Mexican prickly pear, Indian prickly pear, witch's pen
- English: Eltham Indian Fig, Sweet Prickly Pear
- In the Canary Islands the term is widely used red fig, and is listed as part of the local ethnobotanical heritage.
Ecological impact and control of the species
Given its ability to naturalize and its rapid growth, Opuntia dillenii can become Invasive species, displacing native plant communities and altering original habitats, especially on islands and sensitive ecosystems. Therefore, their management is regulated in certain countries to avoid negative impacts on local biodiversity.
Synonymy and scientific classification
- Cactus dillenii
- Opuntia anahuacensis
- Opuntia zebrina
- Opuntia atrocapensis
- Opuntia nitens
- Opuntia melanosperma
References and additional sheets
- Plant information at biodiversitycanarias.es
- consultation Cactiguide
- More on food and nutritional uses in Tunocanarias
Opuntia dillenii stands out for its resilience, adaptability, and ethnobotanical value, from its obvious appeal as an ornamental cactus to its nutritional and medicinal uses, always keeping in mind the necessary controls to prevent its uncontrolled expansion. Its study and enjoyment continue to contribute to botany and natural health, enabling responsible use of its unique characteristics.