What Is a Cactus Fig?

The Tree

• The cactus fig develops into a tree or large shrub. The single stem may become woody as it ages and the plant grows branches or pads. The pads are wide and flat and mostly smooth. The pads are bluish-green and may get up to 6 inches wide. If one falls off or touches the ground, it easily roots and becomes another plant. Opuntia is best known for its fruit, which can be found in Latin food stores and occasionally general supermarkets. The fruits are also a popular food for birds and animals in the wild.

The Flowers

• The flowers on a cactus fig are a startling yellow to orange with red streaks, and appear from April to July. Flower production is reliant on the rainy season. The flowers are 3 to 4 inches wide and bloom off the edges of the pads. The flowers open in the morning or late evening and are pollinated by moths, bats and other nocturnal animals. Each pad will produce several flowers, which will fade after a few days and produce the thick, red, fleshy fruits.

The Fruit

• The fruit actually doesn't resemble a fig, except that it is filled with tiny black edible seeds that are similar to the crunchy little infertile seeds inside figs. The flavor is rich and very sweet, and yields a delicious juice if squeezed. The fruit has glochlids, or spines, that need to be removed before eating. Cactus fig fruit are 3 to 4 inches long and start out green but ripen to a deep purplish-pink color. The interior is juicy and a vibrant pink.

Uses

• Interestingly enough, the cactus fig is used as a hedge. The spines and huge size produce a formidable barrier and security fence. The fruits of the plant are harvested for eating, but other parts, such as the plump roots and wide flat pads, are also edible. The cactus yields a sap that is an excellent dye. Cactus fig makes an excellent specimen plant for a container or xeriscape garden. The plant is easy to grow as long as it gets full sun in well-drained soils.