Garden cactus with edible fruits and leaves - Opuntia humifusa (Devil's Tongue)

Opuntia humifusa - endemic variety from the USA, where it grows naturally on the slopes of the "Rocky Mountains".

In the 3rd year of life, the plant produces large, yellow flowers, which then turn into edible fruits . After removing the thorns, the pulp can be eaten, and the seeds can be fried.

The leaves are also edible - the young sections can be eaten as such after removing the skin and spines, or they can be fried in oil.

It is a fast-growing plant - it practically doubles in size from one year to the next.

It withstands temperatures down to -23 °C without any kind of protection, even for long periods.

Cultivation recommendations: It can be planted in the garden, but the substrate in the planting area should be improved with sand and/or gravel, so that the roots have proper drainage. It does not tolerate excess water well. Like any cactus, it prefers a location as sunny as possible - it does not tolerate too shaded areas well.
Height with pots included: approx. 12 cm

Note: The specimens in stock do not show flowers.

*Plants may have scars at the base.