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{{SPlantbox
 
{{SPlantbox
|genus=Opuntia  
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|familia=Cactaceae
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|genus=Opuntia
 
|species=ficus-indica
 
|species=ficus-indica
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|common_name=Indian Fig Opuntia, barbary fig, prickly pear
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|habit=cacti-succulent
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|lifespan=perennial
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|exposure=sun
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|water=dry
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|features=flowers, edible, fruit
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|flowers=red, yellow, white
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
 
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|image=Upload.png
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|image=Opuntia_ficus-indica_(Indian_Fig)_at_Secunderabad,_AP_W_IMG_6674.jpg
|image_width=240
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|image_width=200
 
}}
 
}}
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[[Image:Opuntia ficus-indica4.jpg|thumb|Opuntia ficus-indica flower]]
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'''''Opuntia ficus-indica''''' (''Indian Fig Opuntia'' or ''barbary fig'') is a species of [[cactus]] and a long-domesticated crop plant important in agricultural economies throughout arid and [[Semi-arid climate|semiarid]] parts of the world. A common English name for the plant and its fruit, is the '''prickly pear''', although this common name has also been applied to other less common [[Opuntia]] species.
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Fig Opuntia is grown primarily as a [[fruit]] crop, but also for the vegetable [[nopal]]es and other uses.  Most culinary references to the "prickly pear" are referring to this species. The name "tuna" is also used for the fruit of this cactus, and for ''[[Opuntia]]'' in general.
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The fruits flower in three distinct colors: white, yellow and red. They<!--The flowers or the fruits?--> first appear in early May through the early summer and ripen from August through October. The fruits are typically eaten, minus the thick outer skin, after chilling in a refrigerator for a few hours. They have a taste similar to a juicy extra sweet [[watermelon]]. The bright red/purple, or white/yellowish flesh contains many tiny hard seeds that are usually swallowed, but should be avoided by those who have problems digesting seeds.
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{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
Opuntia ficus-indica, Mill. (O. gymnocarpa, A. Web.). Indian Fig. Fig. 2598. An erect, tree-like plant; reaching the height of 10-15 ft., and with a woody cylindrical trunk: joints (elliptical or oblong, often with bluish bloom, thick, often 18 in. long and one-third as wide: areoles orbicular and sparingly covered with white wool and yellow bristles; spines usually wanting, occasionally 1-2 small weak ones are present: fls. yellow, expanding to 3—4 in. diam.: fr. yellow, with reddish pulp, bristly, 2 in. diam., edible. Mex. J.H. III. 68:447.— A species widely grown throughout the warm temperate regions of the world. In some regions, escaping from cult., it has become a troublesome weed. Frequently cult, for its fr. under the name of Indian fig.
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Opuntia ficus-indica, Mill. (O. gymnocarpa, A. Web.). Indian Fig. An erect, tree-like plant; reaching the height of 10-15 ft., and with a woody cylindrical trunk: joints (elliptical or oblong, often with bluish bloom, thick, often 18 in. long and one-third as wide: areoles orbicular and sparingly covered with white wool and yellow bristles; spines usually wanting, occasionally 1-2 small weak ones are present: fls. yellow, expanding to 3—4 in. diam.: fr. yellow, with reddish pulp, bristly, 2 in. diam., edible. Mex.— A species widely grown throughout the warm temperate regions of the world. In some regions, escaping from cult., it has become a troublesome weed. Frequently cult, for its fr. under the name of Indian fig.
 
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<gallery perrow=5>
 
<gallery perrow=5>
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Image:Prickly pear seller.jpg|The fruits of ''Opuntia ficus-indica'' as sold in Morocco.
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File:Opuntia_ficus-indica_fruit9.jpg|
 
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
 
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
 
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
 
Image:Upload.png| photo 2

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