VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Opuntia humifusa | Eastern Prickly-Pear 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
The stems and fruits of eastern prickly-pear are eaten by the ornate box turtle,
endangered in Wisconsin [7], various birds, rodents, and lagomorphs
[7,28], white-tailed deer [23], and all classes of livestock [28].
Rodents also consume roots and seeds [7,29].


PALATABILITY : 
The stems of spiny phenotypes are generally preferred by livestock and
wildlife species when young, before spines mature [5].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Eastern prickly-pear cactus is poor forage for livestock [15].  The nutritional
value of fresh, immature eastern prickly-pear stems in the United States is as
follows [21]:

      Percent Composition         Percent Digestible Protein
     ash            2.6                 cattle    0.5       
     crude fiber    1.2                 horses    0.4
     protein        0.9                 rabbits   0.5
                                        sheep     0.5


COVER VALUE : 
Snakes and lizards use eastern prickly-pear cactus for shade cover.  Various
birds sometimes nest among the stems, where spines aid in protecting
eggs and nestlings from predators [7].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Eastern prickly-pear cactus can be useful in wildlife habitat and other
restoration projects.  An eastern prickly-pear population was established from
nursery-germinated seedlings on a sand and gravel borrow-pit reclamation
site in Greene County, Ohio [8].  Eastern prickly-pear cactus is also easily
established from stem cuttings, which are buried to approximately
three-fifths of their length to promote optimum rooting [29].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Humans eat eastern prickly-pear fruits [2,7].  Native Americans consumed the
fresh and dried fruits of eastern prickly-pear cactus, and roasted and ate the
stems.  The mucilaginous stem sap was used as a wound dressing [12].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Eastern prickly-pear cactus is sometimes used for emergency forage on depleted
ranges.  It does not provide a maintenence diet for cattle [15].

Related categories for Species: Opuntia humifusa | Eastern Prickly-Pear