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Did you know...Prickly pears (mostly Opuntia stricta) were imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. They quickly became a widespread invasive weed, rendering 40,000 km2 of farming land unproductive. The moth Cactoblastis cactorum from South America, whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the population. This case is sometimes cited as an example of successful biological pest control. There is a monument to the Cactoblastis cactorum in Dalby, Queensland commemorating the eradication of the prickly pear in the region. 
cactus pear DescriptionPrickly pear cacti typically grow with flat, rounded platyclades that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike spines called glochids that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pears grow into dense, tangled structures. Fruit SelectionChoose a firm cactus pear. Avoid hard, mush, shriveled fruit. Recommended StorageRefrigerate cactus pear in plastic for up to 3 days. If fruit warm when purchased let it cool at room temperature before refrigerating. |