Brasilopuntia brasiliensis is a variant of the prickly pear cactus with edible fruits.

Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis grows a tree-like trunk that can reach a height of 20 meters (or more). It is the tallest member of the Opuntia family and among the tallest of all cactus plants!

With a little patience, it can also bloom indoors, with beautiful yellow flowers and eventually edible fruits. Very similar to the fruits of the common prickly pear cactus.

Care.

The Brazilian prickly pear cactus thrives in sunny, dry environments and is perfect for a warm, bright window. However, note that when this cactus is young it naturally grows protected from the sun by other plants. It is only when the cactus is a few years old that it should be exposed to very strong sunlight.

This also means that this cactus tolerates shade relatively well, at least as a small cactus. Water when the soil is completely dry and then water thoroughly! It is also possible to propagate the cactus plant via cuttings of different parts of the cactus.

Botanical description.

The Brazilian prickly pear cactus is called leaf prickly pear in Swedish because it actually has small green leaves. This prickly pear cactus is originally from eastern Peru, Brazil and northeastern Argentina.

Appearance and fruit

The cactus has green, flat cladodes (the fleshy organs of cacti plants). These grow from a central stem that grows many meters tall, giving the cactus a tree-like appearance when mature. Very unusual among cactus plants and makes this potted cactus a unique indoor specimen.

The fruit is as big as a pear and has a rather tough flesh that tastes like an unripe plum. On the outside of the fruit are seeds that can be sown to propagate the cactus. That is why prickly pear fruits are often used as a flavoring in juices or smoothies. Buy Brasilopuntia prickly pear online!