A Cactus Species Is Spreading Fast in an Unexpected Region of The World

[Warpy]

Prickly pear cacti, which normally appear in hot, dry climates such as the Grand Canyon, are invading the Swiss Alps in a new climate change warning

"A lover of dry and hot climates, this invasive and non-native plant is not welcome," the municipality of Fully announced as part of an uprooting drive at the end of 2022, The Guardian reports.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-cactus-species-is-spreading-fast-in-an-unexpected-region-of-the-world

They might want to rethink the policy of eradicating it. The leaves as well as the fruit are edible and that might be an important thing as climate change progresses.

Also, the article is inaccurate when it comes to temperature range, -10F didn't kill it off in my neibhborhood, so it's well suited to newly dry and otherwise inhospitable alpine climates.

[Backseat Driver]

1. In zones 4, 5, & 6, they can be a perennial in well-drained soil

and if the winter's not too cold. The variety given to me had yellow blooms?

[Ocelot II]

2. I have prickly pears in my yard in Minneapolis.

Some species are very hardy.

[Warpy]

3. They're tough little mofos, aren't they?

Do you eat the cactus or its fruit? Both are sold in groceries around here. I have to say I'm not all that nuts about the paddles, they require a lot of de-sliming, but the fruit is wonderful.

I'm a little surprised you're getting them to grow in Minneapolis, but not much.

[Ocelot II]

4. They are purely decorative. I don't want to handle them

because of the small spines that get into your skin and itch. A neighbor a few blocks away has a whole garden of them:



The species is called Plains Prickly Pear, Opuntia macrorhiza, and they do just fine in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. There is another native species that grows here also, Brittle Prickly Pear, Opuntia fragilis.

[Warpy]

5. They're beautiful in flower, that's for sure

How to handle: use pliers to grip*, a sharp knife to scrape them down. It's not just the spines you can see, it's also the ones you can't see, so scrape them down thoroughly. Cut off the stubborn parts. Cut them into cubes and put them into boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes, drain the water. Rinse under hot water to get rid of any residual slime. They're now ready to cook in scrambled eggs, put into tacos, or spice up to use as a side dish.

*Never, ever think those heavy leather gardening gloves or even welding gloves will work, those spines will go right through. Pliers will give a secure grip without risking your hands.

[Wicked Blue]

6. It went wild in our yard in northern NJ

[Warpy]

7. People who grow it here corral it

usually with wood shelving partially buried, that seems to keep it in check. I've also seen railroad ties and cement enclosures used.

Yes, it does tend to spread. It might deter prowlers, though. There is nothing like ankles full of cactus spines to make them forget the whole idea.

[cstanleytech]

10. If I recall correctly my grandmother used the railroad ties method.

Mind you its been a long longggggggg time so I might be mistaken.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Wow! Thank you, Warpy. ⭐️

[cstanleytech]

9. My grandmother had a small garden with them in them about 60+ years ago before

she died in the Akron area as all they really need is very well drained soil to grow in so water does not sit around their roots.

[IbogaProject]

11. It grows wild on beaches in NYC

I think it's range is out into long island. It is way more flaccid to an extreme compared to the specimens I've seen in Mexico, Arizona, and Morocco.