Tropical Plant "Prickly pear"
Opuntia monacantha

Characteristics - The common prickly pear is not a cultivated fruit bearer, but is relatively common in nature. Native to the coastal area from Sergipe to Rio Grande do Sul, it is found mainly in the open levees (restingas). It is a succulent shrub, erect or recumbent, from 1-3 m tall. The main trunk is very short and flattened; thick phylloclades with segments 10-20 cm long, have areoles spaced 2-4 cm apart, each one having 1-2 painfully, sharp spines 1-5 cm long. Flowers are solitary, di-arnal, androgynous, arranged at the apex of ;he terminal segment and form in the Spring, fruits are elongated berries containing succu-ent, globose, green pulp at the apex and and /ellowish placenta at the base, with a slightly iweet flavor.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural tate but are not widely appreciated.

Propagation - Propagated by stem cuttings.